Ceanothus velutinous
Snowbrush Ceanothus

Family: Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn family)

Photo taken at Leavenworth Ski Hill, open wooded area, flowering in May

Flowers:

white; inflorescence panicle-like, less than 12 cm

Capsule:

3-4 mm, 3 lobed

Leaves:

Alternate; evergreen; blade 5-10 cm, prominently 3 ribed from base, dark green, shiny and glutinous on the upper surface of the leaves; margin gland toothed

Plant:

perennial; ascending-erect, less than 2 meters tall; twigs brown, more or less puberlent, becoming dark brown. Traditionally plant tops and leaves were used as a hair wash for dandruff, and in a bath to prevent diaper rash or to wash sores or eczema by the Okanagan-Coville. The Thompson used a decoction of branches or leaves as a wash for rhumatism, arthritis, and dull body pains, or in a general wash for bathing.

Habitat:

Distribution of species:

East Cascades, British Columbia to California and Nevada, east to South Dakota and Colorado

Distribution of genus:

45 species: North America, especially western