Wildflowers Found in Oregon

Snowbrush (Tobacco Brush, Varnish Brush)

Ceanothus velutinus - Sprawling, spicy-scented, to 3 m tall, bark green; often forms thickets. Leaves alternate, broadly oval, 3-6 cm long, shiny and often sticky on top, velvety beneath, with three main veins branching from the base of the leaf, finely toothed, often slightly curling. Flowers white, small; in large pyramidal clusters 5-12 cm long, along the lengths of side branches. Fruits, 3-lobed and 3-chambered, explosive capsules 405 mm long. Found in dry to moist, open habitats, in sunny locations, often following fire; low to middle elevations.