Minnesota Wildflowers


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Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey Tea)

Plant Info
Also known as: Redroot, Wild Snowball
Genus:Ceanothus
Family:Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn)
Life cycle:short-lived perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:part shade, sun; sandy soil, fields, prairies, open woods
Bloom season:June - August
Plant height:1 to 3 feet
USDA PLANTS database:Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:

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Detailed Information

Flower: 5-petals round

[photo of flowers] Flowers are in round to cylindrical clusters 1 to 1½ inches long at the end of branching stems at the top of the plant. Individual flowers are white, about ¼ inch across, with 5 spoon-shaped petals and 5 stamens with yellowish to purplish tips. Each flower is on a white stalk about ½ inch long.

Leaves and stem: alternate simple

[photo of leaves] Leaves are generally egg-shaped, 1½ to 3 inches long and about half as wide, with serrated edges, a pointed tip, and usually a short leaf stem. The underside of the leaf is softly hairy; the upper side is less so. Attachment is alternate. The main stem variably hairy and becomes woody with age.

Fruit:

[photo of fruit] Fruit is a triangular 3-sectioned capsule about ¼ inch across, each section containing 1 seed. The capsule is shiny green, ripening to a dull dark purplish brown.

Notes:

New Jersey Tea is technically a shrub. It sends up multiple stems and can take on a bushy appearance.

Where to buy native seed and plants

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  • Out Back Nursery and Landscaping - Where Ecology and Horticulture Unite
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  • Prairie Restorations - Bringing people together with the land

Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest

More photos

Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN July and September 2008

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: Ron in Bemidji
on: 2011-06-21 20:15:50

This plant is relatively common in our area here, just SW of Bemidji. It's a favorite of mine.

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