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| Desert Ceanothus, Gregg Ceanothus, New Jersey Tea, Indian Tea, Redroot, Mountain Lilac Ceanothus greggii Rhamnaceae Desert ceanothus is an intricately-branched, rounded shrub with short, rigid, grayish-white branches and tiny, opposite, leathery leaves. It can form impenetrable stands. The flowers are white or creamy white and sometimes blue, occuring in showy clusters near the ends of branches. It is found on dry, rocky slopes, canyons and in erosion channels, at altitudes from 2500 to 5600 feet, from the mountains of the Trans-Pecos to New Mexico, north to Utah and south to Mexico. It can tolerate a variety of soil types, from basic to acidic, as long as it has good drainage, and would be useful as an informal hedge in sunny dry sites. It does not grow well in shade. Its roots are noted for possessing nitrogen-fixing nodules.
Plant Habit or Use: small shrub Exposure: sun Flower Color: white, sometimes blue Blooming Period: spring Fruit Characteristics: green to reddish drupe Height: 1 to 7 feet Width: 1 to 5 feet Plant Character: semievergreen Heat Tolerance: high Water Requirements: Soil Requirements: adaptable Additional Comments:
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