Red Root
Ceanothus velutinas
Family: Rhamnaceae
Perennial deciduous tree. Native to the mountains of the western
U.S.. Bears large, leathery leaves that glisten with resin, and striking
clusters of white flowers. An ideal medicinal shrub for dry landscaping.
The root is used as a tea or tincture, having a definite lymphatic effect.
Cultivation: Extra care. The seed is extremely hard-coated,
and should be rubbed between pieces of sandpaper before planting, to assure
that it will imbibe water. A more sure method is to not rub the
seeds between sandpaper, and instead use fire (see procedure under GROWING
GUIDELINES in the catalog.) Plant seeds only 1/4 inch deep.
Grow the seedlings out for a year in pots before transplanting to final
spot. Plant singly, as they can spread out to a width of 10 feet.
Grows to 4 feet tall.
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