Shrubs or small trees recognized by 4-5-merous flowers, superior ovaries, and stamens that arise from the bases of the petals rather than between them. In families lacking petals, stamens alternate with sepals.  The flower receptacles have the appearance of a peace sign when the upper flower parts have fallen.  This family is one of only a few non-legumes to have root nodules containing nitrogen fixing bacteria (Clarke).

Ceanothus (Wild lilac) occur only in North America with California being the center of distribution. Some species have a unique leaf-vein structure with 3 prominent parallel veins extending from the leaf base to the outer leaf tips. Most are evergreen.  Fruits are hard, nut-like 3-lobed capsules.  Seeds can lie dormant for hundreds of years and many need fire to germinate.  Hybrids are common and difficult to identify.

Rhamnus are distinguished from Ceanothus by the soft, berry-like fruit and leaves which have parallel lateral veins extending from a single midrib (Clarke)

Ceanothus leaf comparisons:

Ceanothus L-R, crassifolius, tomentosus, spinosus, Santiago Tr. Tr., 2-28-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.