Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. obispoensis

Hollister peak ceanothus

Family: Rhamnaceae · Type: tree · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1

Hollister peak ceanothus is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native tree found in coastal scrub, chaparral, and oak woodland on dacite-derived soils in central California at elevations of 140 to 230 meters. Flowering from January to April, this plant produces pale blue to white flowers in dense, elongated clusters. Growing as an erect, open tree up to 4 meters tall with puberulent to tomentose twigs, it develops a distinctive branching structure. Its leaves are ovate to elliptic with margins rolled under, densely covered in short, curly hairs on the upper surface, particularly when young. The tree's compact form and uniquely textured foliage make it a distinctive element of its native chaparral landscape.

Habitat: Dacite-derived soils, canyons, chaparral, coastal scrub, oak woodland

Bloom period: Jan-Apr

Elevation: 140-230 m

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.