Mason's ceanothus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mason's ceanothus |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ceanothus
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| Species: |
masonii
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Ceanothus masonii is a special type of shrub also known as Mason's ceanothus. It belongs to the buckthorn family, called Rhamnaceae. This plant is very rare.
You can only find Mason's ceanothus in one small area. It grows near Bolinas, California in Marin County, California. This area is part of the Point Reyes National Seashore. The plant likes to grow in coastal chaparral, which are areas with tough shrubs. It often lives on windy cliffs by the ocean.
What is Mason's Ceanothus Like?
Size and Leaves
This rare shrub can grow up to 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) tall. Its leaves stay green all year, so it's an evergreen plant. The leaves are small, less than 2 centimeters (less than an inch) long. They grow in pairs on opposite sides of the stem.
The leaves are round or oval. They have tiny, sharp teeth along their edges. Sometimes, these teeth even have small spines on their tips.
Flowers and Fruit
Mason's ceanothus has beautiful flowers. They grow in small groups, forming a cluster. These flowers are usually a deep blue or purple color.
After the flowers, the plant produces small fruits. Each fruit is a tiny capsule, only a few millimeters wide. It has small, horn-like bumps on top.
Family Connections
Mason's ceanothus is very similar to another plant called Ceanothus gloriosus. Scientists think they might be so alike that Mason's ceanothus could actually be a type, or variety, of Ceanothus gloriosus.
