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| ## mountain whitethorn {#mountain-whitethorn .Title-Header}           |
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| *Ceanothus cordulatus* Kellogg                                        |
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| Plant Symbol = CECO                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS California State Office and Lockeford Plant
Materials Center, California

**Alternative Names**![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.667361111111111in"
height="1.988888888888889in"}

##### Snowbush {#snowbush .Header-3}

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

Mountain whitethorn can be used for ground cover on slopes, terraces or
steep banks and as a barrier plant. Mountain whitethorn may be allowed
to assume natural forms or may be shaped through pruning and pinching
off the growing tips.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

Buckthorn Family (Rhamnaceae). Mountain whitethorn is a densely
branched, spiny, evergreen, flat-topped native shrub, which reaches
heights of 2 to 5 feet. However, at elevations, such as the Lake Tahoe
Basin, it assumes a low spreading growth form. Individual plants may
spread to form continuous ground cover over areas with a diameter up to
12 feet. The numerous stems terminate in a hard sharp point thus, the
name whitethorn.

Whitethorn flowers form in a small, dense cluster 1 to 2 inches long.
The flowers, which bloom from late spring to mid summer, have a heavy
penetrating fragrance. During the flowering season, the abundant white
flowers may cause areas to appear covered with snow.

**Distribution**

California, Nevada, and Southwest Oregon. For current distribution,
please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web
site.

**Adaptation**

Mountain whitethorn is well suited to dry open flats and rocky slopes
with well-drained soils.

##### Seed Establishment, Production and Management {#seed-establishment-production-and-management .Header-3}

Mountain whitethorn seeds mature in late August and September. The seeds
are contained within a triangular capsule. Collected capsules should be
stored in paper bags and allowed to dry until they open and reveal the
seeds.

The seed has a hard exterior coat and therefore a combination of soaking
in hot water and cold storage pretreatments are necessary. Seeds should
be placed in hot water, preheated to 180 degrees F., and then allowed to
cool and soak for 24 hours. Following this hot water treatment, mix the
seed with moist sand, place the mixture in plastic bags and store in the
refrigerator.

Periodically check the bags for moisture and for swelling of the seed
which indicates that they are close to germinating. Once the seeds have
swollen, plant them in containers of potting soil and cover them with
approximately ½ inch of soil.

After the plants have formed a third pair of leaves they can be
transplanted individually to larger ½ to 1 gallon containers. The young
plants will be ready for their permanent location in 1 ½ to 2 years. New
plants should be watered occasionally until they are well established.
Afterward, deep watering every 1 to 1 ½ months will be adequate to
maintain uniform growth.

Container grown plants may be available from local nurseries. Dig a hole
two to three times the diameter of the root ball and at least six inches
deeper. Backfill the hole with six inches of native soil. Make a few,
1/8 inch deep vertical cuts in the root ball, or carefully "tease" roots
away from the root ball with your hands to encourage roots to grow into
the new soil. Set the plant into the hole and fill in around the roots,
firming the soil with your hands as you fill, until the hole is half
full. Fill the hole with water and allow it to settle. This will settle
the silt and eliminate air pockets around the roots.

Backfill with enough planting mix so the plant will set at the same
level it was growing at in the container. Water to allow soil to settle,
then add more soil if necessary. Build a berm of soil to form a watering
basin around the outer edge of the hole. Break the basin down after two
or three years.

#####  {#section .Header-3}

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

Fairly free from diseases, but is susceptible to crown and root problems
related to agricultural soils and wet and poorly drained soils.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

'Maleza' Cultivar: This was released by the Lockeford,Plant Materials
Center, Lockeford, California in 1989. Maleza mountain whitethorn is
well suited for medium to coarse textured, well-drained soils. It is
adapted to the Tahoe Basin, but grows well at elevations down to 3500
feet where precipitation is adequate.

Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil
Conservation Service) office for more information. Look in the phone
book under "United States Government." The Natural Resources
Conservation Service will be listed under the subheading "Department of
Agriculture."

##### References {#references .Header-3}

##### USDA NRCS (Sept.) 1988. *Proposed Notice of Designation of Tested Germplasm of 'Maleza' Mountain Whitethorn for Conservation Use on Critically Eroded Areas in the Tahoe Basin and Surrounding Areas*. Lockeford Plant Materials Center, Lockeford, California. {#usda-nrcs-sept.-1988.-proposed-notice-of-designation-of-tested-germplasm-of-maleza-mountain-whitethorn-for-conservation-use-on-critically-eroded-areas-in-the-tahoe-basin-and-surrounding-areas.-lockeford-plant-materials-center-lockeford-california. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-1 .Header-3}

##### USDA NRCS. *Plants for the Lake Tahoe Basin*. {#usda-nrcs.-plants-for-the-lake-tahoe-basin. .Header-3}

USDA NRCS. 2005. *The PLANTS database*. National Plant Data Center,
Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Accessed: 29MAR2005.

##### Prepared By:  {#prepared-by .Header-3}

Dave Dyer, USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Lockeford and Reina O'Beck,
California State Office, Davis, California.

##### Species Coordinator:  {#species-coordinator .Header-3}

Dave Dyer, USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Lockeford, California.

##### Edited: 07Mar2005 ; j9mar05 jsp; 27sep05 jsp; 05jun06 jsp {#edited-07mar2005-j9mar05-jsp-27sep05-jsp-05jun06-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*