New Jersey tea, Red root, Jersey-tea ceanothus, Mountainsweet, Wild snowball
Ceanothus americanus

Family: Rhamnaceae

What it is like

A small deciduous shrub. It grows 0.6-1 m high and spreads 45 cm wide. The roots are tough and dark red. The leaves are slender and oval. They are 10 cm long. The flowers are white in dense panicles. The fruit is a triangle shaped seed pod.

There are about 55 Ceanothus species. The roots are used in medicine. The leaves are caffeine free.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It needs well-drained soil. It can tolerate poor soils but not alkaline conditions. It suits hardiness zones 7-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Canada, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The dried leaves are used as a tea substitute.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea

How it is grown

It can be grown by seed or cuttings. Plants can be cut back.

The leaves are gathered while the plant is in full bloom. They are then dried in the shade.

Its other names

Local names

Mountainsweet, Wild snowball

Synonyms

Ceanothus americanus var. intermedius (Pursh) Torr. & A. Gray;