Ceanothus maritimus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ceanothus maritimus |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ceanothus
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| Species: |
maritimus
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Ceanothus maritimus, often called the maritime ceanothus, is a unique type of shrub. It belongs to the buckthorn plant family, known as Rhamnaceae. This plant is very special because it is endemic to just one small area: San Luis Obispo County, California. This means it grows naturally nowhere else in the world! You can find it in only a few spots near the famous Hearst Ranch. It often grows alongside another rare plant, Ceanothus hearstiorum, right on the coastal cliffs.
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Maritime Ceanothus: A Special Shrub
The maritime ceanothus is a small, spreading shrub that usually grows less than one meter (about 3 feet) tall. Its branches start with a reddish-gray color, which slowly turns gray as the plant gets older.
What Does It Look Like?
This plant has tough, evergreen leaves that stay green all year round. They grow in pairs, opposite each other on the stem. Each leaf is shaped like an oval or a long rectangle, with a pointed, flat, or slightly notched tip.
The leaves are quite small, less than 2 centimeters (about 0.8 inches) long. They are shiny green on top and feel a bit fuzzy or "woolly" underneath. Their edges are often curled under and sometimes have tiny teeth.
Its Beautiful Flowers
When the maritime ceanothus blooms, it produces small clusters of flowers. These flowers can be a deep blue color or sometimes off-white.
The Fruit of the Shrub
After the flowers, the plant grows a small fruit called a capsule. This capsule is about 6 millimeters (about 0.24 inches) long. It's usually round with tiny horn-like bumps on top.
