Ceanothus impressus description

Ceanothus impressus

W. Trelease, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. ser. 2 1: 112. 1888

Ceanothus dentatus W. Trelease var. impressus (W. Trelease) W. Trelease; C. impressus var. nipomensis , H. Mcminn;

Description:

Habit: Shrubs to 2.5 m.

Stems: erect, densely branched, not rooting at nodes; twigs brown, round, smooth, puberulent, flexible.

Leaves: evergreen, alternate; not clustered; stipules thin, deciduous; petioles to 4 mm; blades ovate to +/- round; 0.6--2.5 x 0.4--1.2, bases round, 1-veined, margins scarcely to strongly revolute,, appearing +/- crenate, usually minutely toothed, sometimes glandular, tips obtuse, abaxially gray-hairy, adaxially dark to medium green, puberulent, plane or +/- convex.

Inflorescences: axillary or terminal, raceme-like, 1.3--2.6 cm.

Flowers: blue.

Fruits: subglobose, +/- 4 mm broad, horns 0; valves crests prominent.

Cytology: 2 n = 24 (M. A. Nobs, 1963)

Flowering: in spring.

Habitat: dry , sandy, mesas, slopes; below 200 m.

Range: Calif. [CCo] View Distribution Map.

Other Information:

Shrubs in the northern part of the range [Nipomo Mesa, surrounding hills,San Luis Obispo co.] tend to be larger, with leaf-blades slightly larger, lighter green and margins less revolute have been recognized as Ceanothus impressus var. nipomensis H. McMinn. These tendencies are not consistent enough to justify varietal recognition. [R. F. Hoover 1970]

If you have any comments or information regarding this species, please send mail to Dr. Schmidt.