Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
| Ceanothus thyrsiflorus | |
|---|---|
| File:Ceanothus thyrsiflorus.jpg | |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rhamnaceae |
| Genus: | Ceanothus |
| Species: | C. thyrsiflorus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ceanothus thyrsiflorus | |
| File:Ceanothus thyrsiflorus range map 4.png | |
| Natural range of Ceanothus thyrsiflorus | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus, known as blueblossom or blue blossom ceanothus, is an evergreen shrub in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae that is endemic to Oregon and California in the US. The term 'Californian lilac' and ‘Mountain lilac’ is also applied to this and other varieties of ceanothus, though it is not closely related to Syringa, the true lilac.
Description
[edit | edit source]Ceanothus thyrsiflorus can grow more than 6 metres (20 feet) tall and broad in its native chaparral habitat, with glossy green leaves. The clusters of tiny flowers, borne in spring, vary from different shades of blue to close to white.[2] The evergreen leaves are shiny and about 4 centimetres (1+1⁄2 inches) long.[3]
Etymology
[edit | edit source]The Latin genus name Ceanothus is derived from the Ancient Greek keánōthos (κεάνωθος) 'a spiny plant'. The name was originally used by Theophrastus for another plant, and Linnaeus reused it for Ceanothus.[4]
The Latin specific epithet thyrsiflorus is derived from the Ancient Greek thúrsos (θύρσος) meaning 'stick with a wreath, or thyrsos; contracted panicle, or thyrse' and the Latin florum (gen. 'flower'), and so, thyrsiflorus means approximately 'with flowers arranged in the shape of a contracted panicle or thyrsos staff'.[4][citation needed]
Ecology
[edit | edit source]It is popular with birds, butterflies, and other pollinators.[2] It is often visited by honeybees for its pollen.
Cultivation
[edit | edit source]Ceanothus thyrsiflorus has been used in gardens extensively. It prefers a warm, sheltered position in full sun.[5] Several cultivars have been selected, including:
- 'Blue Mound' which can grow to 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) tall
- 'Cascade' which may reach 8 m (26 ft) of height
- 'El Dorado', a variegated cultivar with gold edge foliage and powder blue flowers[6]
- 'Repens' which stays as a shrub around 1–3 m (3 ft 3 in – 9 ft 10 in) tall
- 'Repens Victoria', forming a sturdy evergreen mound and most useful groundcover with powder blue flowers
- 'Skylark', a tall type with blue flowers (this cultivar has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit)[7]
- 'Snow Flurry', with white flowers
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ Lem. Ill. Hort. 7: t. 268 1860
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- ^ a b Gledhill, David (2008). "The Names of Plants". Cambridge University Press. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). (hardback), Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). (paperback). pp 96, 168, 379
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Botanica. The Illustrated AZ of over 10000 garden plants and how to cultivate them, p. 202 Könemann, 2004.
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External links
[edit | edit source]
- CalFlora Database: Ceanothus thyrsiflorus (blueblossom)
- Jepson eFlora (TJM2): Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
- Ceanothus thyrsiflorus — U.C. Photo gallery
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- Ceanothus
- Endemic flora of California
- Flora of the Klamath Mountains
- Natural history of the California chaparral and woodlands
- Natural history of the California Coast Ranges
- Natural history of the San Francisco Bay Area
- Plants described in 1826
- Taxa named by Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz
- Butterfly food plants
- Garden plants of North America
- Drought-tolerant plants
- Rhamnaceae stubs