Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus
Carmel ceanothus
Photo: parent species Ceanothus thyrsiflorus · (c) Henrik Kibak, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rhamnaceae · Type: Tree · Native
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus (Carmel ceanothus) is a native California tree in the Rhamnaceae family, recognized by fuzzy twigs and rolled leaf margins.
Carmel ceanothus is a California native tree found in the northern Coast Ranges, central Coast, and San Francisco Bay Area on bluffs, slopes, and in coastal chaparral at elevations below 600 meters. Flowering from February to June, this plant produces clusters of small white to pale blue flowers that bloom in dense, rounded clusters. Growing with somewhat hairy twigs and reaching up to several meters tall, it forms a dense, spreading canopy characteristic of coastal environments. Its leaves are distinctive, with oval to widely elliptic blades that have margins elegantly rolled underneath, creating a compact and textured appearance. The dense branching and unique leaf structure make this ceanothus an important component of California's coastal ecosystems.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 47 sympatric species; key features are fuzzy twigs and rolled leaf margins
Habitat and range
Habitat: Bluffs, slopes, canyons, chaparral, coastal scrub, closed-cone-pine forest
Elevation: < 600 m
California counties: Monterey, Mendocino, Sonoma, Solano, Alameda, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, San Benito, San Mateo, Marin
Bloom period
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus blooms Feb-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Rhamnus: Ceanothus has showy blue/white/pink flowers in dense clusters; Rhamnus has tiny inconspicuous greenish flowers.; vs Quercus: Ceanothus has showy flower clusters and small leaves; Quercus has acorns and distinctive lobed or toothed oak leaves.; vs Baccharis: Ceanothus has individual flowers with 5 separate petals; Baccharis has composite flower heads with tiny disc flowers.; vs Cercocarpus: Ceanothus has blue/white/pink flowers in clusters; Cercocarpus has tiny flowers with no petals and feathery fruiting tails.; vs Adenostoma: Ceanothus flowers have 5 distinct colored petals; Adenostoma has tiny white flowers and needle-like clustered leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus native to California?
Yes. Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus bloom?
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus blooms Feb-Jun.
Where in California does Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus grow?
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus occurs in Monterey, Mendocino, Sonoma, Solano, Alameda, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and other counties, at elevations of < 600 m.
What plant family does Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus belong to?
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus is in the Rhamnaceae family, genus Ceanothus.
What habitat does Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus grow in?
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus grows in Bluffs, slopes, canyons, chaparral, coastal scrub, closed-cone-pine forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.