Ceanothus oliganthus is a species of shrub in the family Rhamnaceae known by the common name hairy ceanothus or hairy-leaf ceanothus.Flowering Plants of the Santa Monica Mountains, Nancy Dale, 2nd Ed., 2000, p. 167
Three varieties are accepted. Ceanothus oliganthus var. oliganthus Ceanothus oliganthus var. orcutii Ceanothus oliganthus var. sorediatus
The variety of this species known as jimbrush (var. sorediatus) is sometimes treated as a separate species.USDA Plants Profile: var. sorediatus
Habitat and range It occurs in CaliforniaCeanothus oliganthus at CalFlora and Baja California,Jepson Herbarium where it occurs through all of the coastal mountain ranges in dry habitat such as chaparral.
Description This is a large, erect shrub approaching 3 meters in maximum height.
Leaves and stems The stipules (small leaf-like structures on the stems at the base of the leaf stem, are thin and fall off early.
The evergreen leaves are alternately arranged and may be up to 4 centimeters long. They are dark green on top, paler and hairy on the underside, and are edged with glandular teeth. Leaves have 3 main veins rising from the base. Leaves have a toothed edge. The leaf is covered with short, soft hairs on the top.
Branchlets are flexible, not stiff.
Inflorescence and fruit The inflorescence is a cluster or series of clusters of blue or purple flowers.
The fruit is a capsule which may be hairy or not, depending on variety.
The fruit is not horned.
It blooms April to May.
References
External links Jepson Manual eFlora (TJM2) treatment of Ceanothus oliganthus Ceanothus oliganthus — U.C. Photo gallery