Virginia Tech Dendrology

Point Reyes ceanothus Rhamnaceae Ceanothus gloriosus J.T. Howell symbol: CEGL
Leaf: Opposite, simple, and persistent, elliptical to nearly round, 3/4 to 2 inches long, thick and heavily toothed (holly-like), distinctly penniveined, dark green above and paler beneath.
Flower: Small, deep blue to purple, in large clusters along the branches on short, thick stalks, appearing in spring to early summer.
Fruit: Rounded capsules with 3 small apical horns, often sticky, 1/6 inch long, each capsule contains about 12 small, black shiny seeds.
Twig: Distinctly angled, green or reddish brown with a fine covering of hair.
Bark: Reddish brown and smooth when young, becoming gray-brown with age.
Form: Broadleaf evergreen ground cover, 1 to 3 feet tall, typically low spreading or mounded with arching branches that root adventitiously.
Looks like: mahala mat

Additional Range Information: Ceanothus gloriosus is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDA Plants Database
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information