Kingdom Plantae Family Rhamnaceae Scientific name Ceanothus thyrsiflorus Rank Species | Order Rosales Genus Ceanothus Higher classification California lilac | |
 | ||
Similar California lilac, Ceanothus impressus, Ceanothus arboreus, Ceanothus griseus, Rhamnaceae | ||
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus repens showing plant in wrong position m4v
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus, known as blueblossom or blue blossom ceanothus, is an evergreen shrub in the genus Ceanothus that is endemic to California. The term 'Californian lilac' is also applied to this and other varieties of ceanothus, though it is not closely related to Syringa, the true lilac.
Contents
- Ceanothus thyrsiflorus repens showing plant in wrong position m4v
- Blue blossom ceanothus ceanothus thyrsiflorus elk head trinidad california
- Description
- Cultivation
- Etymology
- References
Blue blossom ceanothus ceanothus thyrsiflorus elk head trinidad california
Description
C. thyrsiflorus can grow more than 6 m (20 ft) tall in its native chaparral habitat. Flowers vary from different shades of blue to close to white. It is popular with birds, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Cultivation
C. thyrsiflorus has been used in gardens extensively, and several cultivars have been selected. Popular garden varieties include:-
Etymology
Ceanothus is derived from the Ancient Greek, κεάνωθος (keanōthos) 'spiny plant'. The name was originally used by Theophrastus for another plant, and Linnaeus reused it for Ceanothus.
Thyrsiflorus is derived from the Ancient Greek word, Thyrsus, meaning a 'contracted panicle', 'wreath', or 'thyrsus'. Florus is derived from Latin and means 'flower', and so thyrsiflorus means 'with flowers arranged in the shape of a contracted panicle or thyrsus staff'.