Taxon Report

Ceanothus rigidus Nutt.

Monterey ceanothus

Print Report


Taxon Summary

Ceanothus rigidus, commonly known as Monterey ceanothus, is a perennial evergreen shrub in the Rhamnaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, Closed-cone coniferous forest, and Coastal scrub, growing at elevations from 3 to 550 meters. Ceanothus rigidus is ranked 4.2, Plants of Limited Distribution, A Watch List; Moderately threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Ceanothus rigidus Nutt.
Common Name:
Monterey ceanothus
Family: Rhamnaceae
Element Code: PDRHA04067
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:
  • Ceanothus cuneatus var. rigidus

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial evergreen shrub
Blooming Period: Feb-Apr(Jun) Feb-Apr(Jun)
Elevation: 3-550 (10-1805)
General Habitats: Chaparral, Closed-cone coniferous forest, Coastal scrub
Microhabitat: Sandy
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 0
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 0
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Monterey (MNT)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Big Sur (3612137), Marina (3612167), Monterey (3612158), Mt. Carmel (3612147), Prunedale (3612176), Salinas (3612166), Seaside (3612157), Soberanes Point (3612148), Spreckels (3612156), Watsonville East (3612186)

Notes


Threats:
Threatened by development.
Taxonomy:
Plants identified as C. rigidus in SLO and SBA cos. are part of the C. cuneatus complex and may belong to an undescribed taxon.
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 3 April 2025].