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Cox, Paul

Ceanothus americanus L.

New Jersey tea, Redroot

Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn Family)

USDA Symbol: CEAM

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

New Jersey-tea is a low, upright, deciduous shrub that grows to only 3 ft. tall. Pubescent leaves give the entire plant a grayish cast. Small white flowers occur in 2 in., branch-tip clusters. A low shrub with tiny white flowers in oval clusters rising from the leaf axils on the new shoots. The base is woody, while the upper portion of the plant is made up of herbaceous, spreading branches. Fall color is insignificant.

The dried leaves of this nitrogen-fixing shrub make an excellent tea that was very popular during the Revolutionary War period. Smaller Red-root (C. ovatus), with flowers in a globose cluster and narrower leaves, ranges from Manitoba and western Quebec to western Maine, south to western Georgia, west to Alabama, Arkansas, and Texas. Small-leaved Red-root (C. microphyllus), has tiny leaves, less than 1/2 (1.3 cm) long, and occurs in sandy pine or oak woods in the South.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Size Notes: Ground cover
Leaf Color: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Flower Size: 2 inch heads
Fruit Color: Brown

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NE , NH , NJ , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VT , VA , WV , WI , DC
Canada: MB , NB , ON , QC
Native Distribution: Que. to FL, w. to MN, e. NE, e. KS & TX
Native Habitat: Open, deciduous woods; woodland edges; dry prairies; roadsides
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Dry
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Well-drained sand, loam, or limey soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Limestone-based
Conditions Comments: This extremely adaptable species can withstand inhospitable conditions because of massive, deep roots.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Ground cover, Rocky hillside, Low growing, Planned landscape
Use Food: The dried leaves of this nitrogen-fixing shrub make an excellent tea that was very popular during the Revolutionary War period. (Niering)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Spring Azure, Summer Azure, Mottled Duskywing

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Ceanothus americanus is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Spring Azure
(Celastrina "ladon" )

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA 		Mottled Duskywing
(Erynnis martialis)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA 		Summer Azure
(Celastrina neglecta)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Seed Collection: Collect seeds in late summer and early fall. Because dry capsules disperse their seed abruptly with a sudden ejection, it may be necessary to tie cloth bags around the clusters of capsules to catch the seeds.
Seed Treatment: Scarification may be necessary and can be accomplished by soaking the seeds in hot water (180-200 degrees). Soak in cooling water 24 hours. Stratify all seeds for 60-90 days at 41 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes

PlantWise: Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants

Ceanothus americanus (New jersey tea) is a PlantWise native alternative for:

   Berberis thunbergii (Japanese barberry)
   Spiraea japonica (Japanese meadowsweet)

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: We live in upstate new york( zone 5) with full sun and clay soil. What flowers/flowering shrubs would be successful in this environment?
click here to view the full question and answer

Question: I would like to use native plantings to stabilize a steep bank of a septic leach field in eastern Pennsylvania. My purpose is to control erosion and to eliminate the need for mowing. What would you recommend?
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Wildflower Farm - Coldwater, ON
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

A Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
A Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
* Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

USDA: Find Ceanothus americanus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Ceanothus americanus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ceanothus americanus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2008-10-31
Research By: TWC Staff

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