Virginia Tech Dendrology

redstem ceanothus Rhamnaceae Ceanothus sanguineus Pursh Listen to the Latin symbol: CESA
Leaf: Alternate, simple, deciduous, ovate, 1 to 3 1/2 inches long, thin, dark green and glabrous above and paler below, margins serrated, 3-veined from the base.
Flower: Perfect and complete small white flowers borne in large, dense clusters up to 4 inches long.
Fruit: Small, 3-lobed, rounded capsule up to 3/16 inch in diameter, occur in clusters.
Twig: Slender, smooth, and purplish-red in color, buds often stalked.
Bark: Slender, smooth, and purplish-red in color.
Form: An erect, loosely branched shrub up to 10 feet tall with slender, red branches.
 Looks like: blueblossom - snowbrush - narrowleaf buckbrush - deerbrush
leaf flower fruit twig bark form1 map
Additional Range Information: Ceanothus sanguineus is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. See states reporting redstem ceanothus.
External Links: USDAFS Additional Silvics - USDA Plants Database
All material © 2017 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson