Pine Hill Ceanothus

Ceanothus roderickii

The branches of this low-growing shrub radiate from the base of the plant. Additional roots develop from points where the branches touch the ground. Its bark is grey-brown and the leaves are small, tough, green on the upper surface, grey-green underneath and occasionally have toothed edges. The very small white flowers form in clusters that look somewhat like cotton balls. The flowers sometimes have a faintly bluish or pinkish tinge, but with only one color per plant.

This species grows only on gabbro soils in western El Dorado County, scattered throughout areas of chaparral. Positive effects from periodic fire have been demonstrated for this species.

Listed under the Federal Endangered Species Act as endangered and with the State of California as rare.