Ceanothus velutinus var. hookeri Douglas ex Hook. M.C. Johnst.
snowbrush (Hooker's ceanothus)
Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

Once images have been obtained, photographs of this taxon will be displayed in this window.Click on the image to enter our photo gallery.
Currently no image is available for this taxon.


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Ceanothus velutinus var. hookeri
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

Species Information

General:
Evergreen shrub 0.5-2 m tall; stems numerous, prostrate to erect, green, minutely hairy to smooth.
Leaves:
Alternate, the blades egg-shaped to elliptic, 5-10 cm long, smooth, shiny above, often tinged with brown and sticky above, greyish-hairy to smooth below, finely toothed; stalks 1-2 cm long; stipules 1 mm long, deciduous.
Fruits:
Capsules, 4-5 mm long, 3-lobed, separating into 3, dehiscent, rounded carpels, the carpels slightly crested above; seeds 1 per carpel.
Notes:
Two varieties occur in BC.

1. Leaves smooth on lower surface, at least on the veins; plants occurring W of the Coast-Cascade Mountains....................var. hookeri M. C. Johnson

1. Leaves finely short -hairy on lower surface; plants occurring E of the Coast-Cascade Mountains......................var. velutinus

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Habitat and Range

Mesic to dry rocky slopes, shrublands, open forests and burns in the lowland, steppe and montane zones; common on S BBC except rare on Vancouver Island; E to SW AB and S to SD, CO and CA.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Ceanothus velutinus var. laevigatus Torr. & A. Gray