[The Buckthorn Family East of the Cascade Mts.]
The Genus Ceanothus East of the Cascade Mts.

A typical Ceanothus flower, in this case, Ceanothus prostratus.

1. Deer Brush: Ceanothus integerrimus - Erect shrub. Leaves not glutinous above. Leaf margins entire. Flowers white, lilac or powder blue.

2. Prostrate Ceanothus, Mahala Mat, Squawcarpet: Ceanothus prostratus - Prostrate or creeping shrub. Leaves sparingly toothed, the teeth with a spine at the tip, or only with 3 spine-tipped teeth at the tip. Flowers bright blue or white.

3. Buck Brush, Redstem Ceanothus, Oregon Teatree: Ceanothus sanguineus - Erect shrub. Leaves not glutinous above. Leaf margins finely toothed. Young branches reddish. Flowers white.

4. Snow Brush, Greasewood, Mountain Balm : Ceanothus velutinus var. velutinus - Erect shrub. Leaves glutinous above, appearing shiny and varnished. Leaf margins finely toothed. Flowers white.

Paul Slichter E-mail