Montane. Woodlands. Summer.
West Mancos Trail, June 26, 2004.

Tiny columns of flowers in numerous clumps top narrow dark green leaves on this low, spreading, somewhat spiny shrub.  Ceanothus fendleri is almost always wider than tall, but can be 1-3 feet tall and wide, is often found in clusters, is fairly common in coniferous montane open woods, and easily attracts attention with its numerous bright white flowers.

Linnaeus named this genus in 1753 and in 1849 Asa Gray named this species from a specimen collected near Santa Fe, New Mexico by Augustus Fendler in 1847.  "Ceanothus" is Greek and, according to Weber, refers to a kind of Thistle.  Augustus Fendler was a well-known nineteenth century plant collector. (More biographical information.)

Montane. Woodlands. Summer.
West Mancos Trail, June 26, 2004.

Numerous minute flowers make up the showy flower clusters.

Montane. Woodlands. Summer.
Haviland Lake Trail, June 27, 2005.

Tight star-shaped buds open to exotic flowers.

Montane. Woodlands. Summer.
Haviland Lake Trail, June 27, 2005.

When the star-shaped buds open we see that five triangular shaped sepals (the bud covers) alternate with five pink stamens (topped with black/green, grooved anthers) and five scoop-shaped petals.

Montane. Woodlands. Summer.
Fish Creek Trail, August 9, 2005.

Ceanothus fendleri seed capsules are as exotic as its flowers.

Montane. Woodlands. Summer.
Narraguinnep Natural Area, August 11, 2005.

Here Ceanothus fendleri seed capsules are fully dried.