Flower ID: IMG_7099.JPG-06-30-2023 Flower name (scientific): Ceanothus americanus Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) say-an-OH-thus ah-mer-ih-KAY-nus Flower name (common): New Jersey Tea Family name (common): Buckthorn Family name (scientific): Rhamnaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: Linnaeus' re-use of the Greek name keanothus, a term used by Dioscorides and Theophrastus for some other spiny plant. Specific epithet: Of or related to America. Common name origin: The leaves of Ceanothus americanus were utilized during the American revolutionary war as a substitute for imported black tea, and was thus referred to as New Jersey tea (Hogg, p. 237, 1858). Flower description: Size: 0.2 to 0.4 inches (5 to 10 mm) Petal count: 5 Color: white Other: flower arrangement, Cluster-spherical Plant description: Size: 12 to 36 inches (30 to 90 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple Size: Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, ovate to ovate-oblong (FNA) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): June to August Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Forests, woodlands, fields, meadows, savannas, prairies, dry to moist, sandy or loamy soil, semi shade to sun. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Ceanothus americanus has some similarity to Ceanothus herbaceus (Narrow-leaved New Jersey Tea). C. americanus has leaves that are ovate to oblong-ovate shaped, and 1 to 8 cm long by 0.5 to 5 cm wide, whereas C. herbaceus has leaves that are elliptic to lanceolate shaped, and 1 to 6 cm long by 0.5 to 2 cm wide. Ethnobotany: The Menominee employed the roots of this plant to prepare a tea that was used to treat stomach problems, and also used as a regular beverage (Smith, pp. 49, 70, 1923). The Meskwaki used the roots to make a tea that was then used to treat some physical deformity and also used as a beverage (Smith, pp. 240-241, 263, 1928). The Chippewa used the roots to treat constipation and in combination with other plants to treat pulmonary issues (Gilmore, p. 136, 1933). Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (ON, QC) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na Wetland Status (NC): Not listed Wetland Status (MW): Not listed