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Ceanothus velutinus
Snowbrush
At a Glance: A tall shrub with glossy leaves and clusters of white flowers.
Height: Up to 10 feet (3 meters).
Growth Form: Shrub.
Leaves: Alternate arrangement. The broadly oval leaves are shiny and sticky on top and velvety beneath; finely toothed with three major veins. Leaves are aromatic. Size: 3-6 cm (1-2.5 in) long.
Flowers: Flowers are arranged in pyramidal clusters 5-12 cm long along the length of side branches. EAch flower is tiny, white.
Flowering Period: May, June, July.
Fruits: Frutis are three-lobed and three-chambered; size: 4-5 mm long.
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Prefers sunny areas.
 full sun > 80%  mostly sunny 60%-80% partial sun and shade 40%- 60% mostly shady 60%-80% full shade > 80%
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wet moist dry
Wetland Indicator Status:
NI (no indicator data) |
low elevation mid elevation sub-alpine high elevation
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sandy soils gravelly soils clay soils muddy soils peaty soils |
well drained soils shallow soils deep soils acidic soils basic soils |
humic soils nutrient rich soils nutrient poor soils mineral soils organic soils |
Aquatic and Wetland:
Ponds or lakes Shallow pools Sloughs Swales or wet ditches Seasonally inundated areas Marshes or swamps Aquatic bed wetlands Emergent wetlands Scrub-shrub wetlands Forested wetlands Bogs, fens Seeps, springs
Lake shores Bog margins Streams or rivers Stream or river banks Riparian corridors River bars Floodplains Bottomlands Alluvial areas |
Saltwater Areas:
In or near saltwater Mud flats Tidal areas Estuaries Saltmarshes Brackish water Seashores Coastal dunes or beaches
Coastal bluffs Cliffs Rocky slopes Outcrops Crevices Glacial outwash Gullies Slide areas
Heaths Snow beds Tundra Avalanche tracks |
Forests and Thickets:
Forests and woods Open forests Coniferous forests Old growth forests Deciduous forests Mixed forests Nurse logs Forest edges, openings, or clearings Thickets
Pastures or fields Meadows or grassy areas Mossy areas
Roadsides Trailsides Logged sites Burned areas Disturbed sites |
Berries Seeds Nectar for hummingbirds Nectar for butterflies Host for insect larvae Thickets and shelter Thorny or protective cover
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Insects: The flowers are pollinated by many flying insects, especially bees. Ceanothus silk moth larvae eat the leaves. Butterflies associated with the plant include the pale swallowtail butterfly, the brown elfin butterfly, and the hedgerow hairstreak butterfly.
Mammals: Deer and elk browse on the twigs and leaves.
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Suggested References
- Alden, P., D. Paulson. 1998. National Audubon Society, Field Guide to the Pacific Northwest. Chanticleer Press. Page 110.
- Jacobson A.L. 2001. Wild Plants of Greater Seattle. Published by author. Page 122.
- Link, R. 1999. Landscaping for Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press. Page 266.
- Lyons, C., W. Merilees. Trees and Shrubs to Know in Washington and British Columbia. Lone Pine Publishing. Page 147.
- Pojar, J., A. Mackinnon. 1994. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Lone Pine Publishing. Page 91.
The landscaping and restoration information provided on this page is taken from the Starflower Foundation Image Herbarium. All photographs © Starflower Foundation unless otherwise noted.
