Plant Data Sheet
Species (common name, Latin
name)
wedgeleaf ceanothus, buckbrush
ceanothus, buckbrush
Ceanothus cuneatus
Range
Ceanothus
is widely distributed in
Climate, elevation
Found in
“Mediterranean” climate with a majority of annual precipitation occurring in winter
with long summer droughts. It occurs in
elevations between 0 and 6000 feet (1800 m). 2
Local occurrence (where, how
common)
Growth is
restricted to the southern part of Washington.2
Habitat preferences
Typically wedgeleaf ceanothus occurs in areas where annual
precipitation ranges from approximately 10 to 35 inches (250-900 mm) and where
80% of the annual total precipitation occurs in the fall, winter, and spring.
Annual average precipitation ranges from north to south. 2
Plant strategy type/successional stage (stress-tolerator, competitor, weedy/colonizer, seral, late successional)
Wedgeleaf
ceanothus stands change rapidly during the first 1 to 4 years postfire. In areas where wedgeleaf
ceanothus associates with sprouting shrub species postfire
succession can typically be described in 3 stages: (1) During the 1st postfire year native and nonnative vegetation forms the
dominant cover, while chaparral shrub seedlings and sprouts emerge. (2) During
the 2nd postfire year, high mortality of shrub and subshrub seedlings takes place with decreased native and
increased nonnative herbaceous plants. (3) In subsequent years, the remaining
shrub seedlings and sprouts become well established while herbaceous vegetation
gradually decreases. After 8 to 10 years, a relatively mature chaparral cover
with little understory exists. Wedgeleaf ceanothus
is an actinorrhizal plant that has the ability to fix
atmospheric nitrogen. This gives wedgeleaf ceanothus
a competitive advantage over other non-nitrogen fixing shrubs herbs and
grasses, especially on nitrogen-deficient soils. Over a given
year, wedgeleaf ceanothus nodulates
nitrogen at an estimated rate of 54 pounds per acre. 1,2
Associated species
Species
that may associate with wedgeleaf ceanothus include chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum), hoaryleaf
ceanothus (Ceanothus crassifolius), hairy
ceanothus (C. oliganthus), blueblossom
(C. thyrsiflorus), Nuttall's
scrub oak (Q. dumosa), toyon
(Heteromeles arbutifolia),
and sugar sumac (Rhus ovata),
blue oak (Q. douglasii) and California buckeye
(Aesculus californica),
shrubs such as red shank (Adenostoma sparsifolium), Nuttall's
scrub oak, birchleaf mountain-mahogany (Cercocarpus betuloides),
laurel sumac (Malosma laurina),
white and black sage (Salvia mellifera, S. apiana), sugar sumac, Our Lord's candle (Yucca whipplei), and herbs such as giant wildrye
(Leymus condensatus),
and Eastern Mojave buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum). 2
May be collected as: (seed, layered, divisions, etc.)
Seed or
layered. 2
Collection restrictions or
guidelines
The mature
seed capsule bursts upon opening, making an audible pop, and seeds are cast up
to a distance of 35 feet (10.7 m). However, the majority of seeds fall near the
parent shrub. Seed casting date and distance depend on phenology
of fruit-ripening, temperature, and humidity. Hotter and drier conditions
result in further casting which generally occurs during the hot and dry months
of July and August.2
Seed germination (needs
dormancy breaking?)
Wedgeleaf
ceanothus seeds require relatively high temperatures during burning (158 to 212
°F (70-100 °C) to facilitate germination. Germination rates are high after fire
which scarifies wedgeleaf ceanothus seed. Heat from
fire melts or cracks the cuticle of buried seeds which is necessary for
germination. 2
Seed life (can be stored,
short shelf-life, long shelf-life)
Long shelf-life. 2
Recommended seed storage
conditions
Refrigerated
and kept dry in a sealed container. 2
Propagation recommendations
(plant seeds, vegetative parts, cuttings, etc.)
Seed
planting is recommended. 1
Soil or medium requirements (inoculum necessary?)
Wedgeleaf
ceanothus occurs in chaparral vegetation types in
Installation form (form,
potential for successful outcomes, cost)
Plants from
containers are recommended. 1
Recommended planting density
Information unavailable.
Care requirements after
installed (water weekly, water once etc.)
Regular
watering should be adequate. 1
Normal rate of growth or
spread; lifespan
Very little is known about the average life span of wedgeleaf
ceanothus, although it is believed that mortality begins in stands >50 years
old. 2
Sources cited
1Hansen, W. Native Plants of the Northwest. http://www.nwplants.com.
May 16, 2006
2
Data compiled by (student
name and date)
Patrick
Keegan, May 19, 2006