2020 Bob Sweatt 2019 Susan McDougall 2021 Mike Russler 2017 Elysa DuCharme 2020 Bob Sweatt 2020 Richard Spjut 2017 Elysa DuCharme 2017 Elysa DuCharme 2021 Mike Russler 2018 Joerg Lohse 2021 Mike Russler 2021 Mike Russler 2020 Bob Sweatt 2018 David popp
Ceanothus velutinus is a tree or shrub that is native to California, and also found elsewhere in North America and beyond.
[Wikipedia] Range, Habitat, Uses: It is native to western North America from British Columbia to California to Colorado, where it grows in several habitat types including coniferous forest, chaparral, and various types of woodland.
The plentiful inflorescences are long clusters of white flowers. The fruit is a three-lobed capsule a few millimeters long which snaps open explosively to expel the three seeds onto the soil, where they may remain in a buried seed bank for well over 200 years before sprouting.[1] The seed is coated in a very hard outer layer that must be scarified, generally by wildfire, before it can germinate.[1] Like most other ceanothus, this species fixes nitrogen via actinomycetes in its root nodules.[1]
Uses
Deer and elk browse the plant during winter.[2]
Some Plateau Indian tribes drank a boil of this plant to induce sweating as a treatment for colds, fevers, and influenza. Leaves were also used when rinsing to help prevent dandruff.[3]
Ceanothus velutinus was known as "red root" by many Native American tribes due to the color of the inner root bark, and was used as a medicine for treating lymphatic disorders, ovarian cysts, fibroid tumors, and tonsillitis. Clinical studies of the alkaloid compounds in C. velutinus has verified its effectiveness in treating high blood pressure and lymphatic blockages.[4] (link added by Mary Ann Machi)
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Suggested Citation
Calflora:
Information on California plants for education, research and conservation,
with data contributed by
public and private institutions and individuals.
[web application]. 2025.The Calflora Database
[a non-profit organization].Available:
https://www.calflora.org/(Accessed: 05/18/2025).