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| Redroot, Inland Ceanothus, Jersey Tea, New Jersey Tea, Indian Tea Ceanothus herbaceus (C. ovatus) Rhamnaceae Redroot is a small, upright-growing ornamental shrub with showy white flower clusters at the branch tips from April through July. It resembes C. americanus, but has more herbaceous growth, shorter flower clusters, narrower leaves and a denser growth habit. Redroot grows in well-drained clay soil in prairies, on slopes or in limestone rock crevices in North Central to South Central Texas, the Panhandle and Edwards Plateau, north and east to Ontario. It tolerates hot, dry conditons, and makes a pretty understory plant in the spring. A variety, var. pubescens, has been identified, although it is not common in Texas south of Kerr County. The leaves are hairy and smaller, with conspicuous veins. Like C. americanus, redroot produces rootstock "grubs" that emerge near the top of the soil and the roots have nitrogen-fixing nodules, as do other Ceanothus species. It is a good browse for livestock, and the seeds are eaten by quail, bobwhite, and several other species of birds. Plant Habit or Use: small shrub Exposure: partial sun Flower Color: white Blooming Period: spring Fruit Characteristics: capsule Height: to 3 feet Width: to 3 feet Plant Character: deciduous Heat Tolerance: high Water Requirements: Soil Requirements: adaptable Additional Comments:
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