Ceanothus americanus L.

Shrub to 1 m, often freely branched; lvs narrowly to broadly ovate, 3–8 cm, usually more than half as wide, obtuse or acute, broadly cuneate to rounded or subcordate at base, the lateral nerves often naked for 1–3 mm at base; infls on axillary peduncles, the lower peduncles progressively longer and to 2 dm, each panicle short-cylindric to ovoid, occasionally branched, often subtended by 1–3 reduced lvs, the individual umbels of the panicle usually separated by distinct internodes; fr depressed-obovoid, 5–6 mm; 2n=24. Upland woods, prairies, and barrens; Que. to Minn., s. to Fla. and Tex. June, July. Var. americanus, occurring mostly in and e. of the mts., has the leaves sparsely pilose only along the nerves beneath. Var. pitcheri Torr. & A. Gray, occurring w. of the mts., has the lvs pubescent across the surface beneath. Var. intermedius Torr. & A. Gray, occurring on the coastal plain from Va. s., differs from var. americanus in its very much branched habit, more numerous infls, and small lvs commonly 2–4 cm.

It is a temperate plant. It needs well-drained soil. It can tolerate poor soils but not alkaline conditions. It suits hardiness zones 7-9.

The dried leaves are used as a tea substitute.

It can be grown by seed or cuttings. Plants can be cut back.