Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Ceanothus papillosus, Wartleaf ceanothus, is a species of plant in the genus Ceanothus. It is endemic to California, where it grows in open habitat on the slopes of the coastal mountain ranges, such as woodland and chaparral. The evergreen leaves are alternately arranged, often in crowded clusters, each oblong to long-rectangular in shape and covered in glandular bumps. The edges are generally turned under and lined with glandular hairs. The inflorescence is a cluster of bright blue flowers. The fruit is a bumpy capsule about 3 millimeters long. The evergreen leaves are alternately arranged, often in crowded clusters, each oblong to long-rectangular in shape and covered in glandular bumps. The edges are generally turned under and lined with glandular hairs. The inflorescence is a cluster of bright blue flowers. The fruit is a bumpy capsule about 3 millimeters long.

Plant type

Shrub

Size

6 - 16 ft Tall

Growth rate

Moderate

Dormancy

Evergreen

Calscape icon
Color

Blue, Purple

Flowering season

Spring, Winter

Special uses

Bank stabilization, Hedge

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Very Low, Low

Ease of care

Moderate

Soil description

Prefers sandy or loamy soils. Does not grow well in clay soils.

Propagation

For propagating by seed: Hot water: and 2.5-3 mos. stratification.

Sunset Zones

5*, 7, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*

Site type

Open, dry slopes

Plant communities

Chaparral, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Redwood Forest

Bats
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 87 likely

Confirmed Likely

Acanthopteroctetes unifascia

Sallow Button

Acleris hastiana

Cottonwood Dagger Moth

Acronicta lepusculina

Acronicta perdita