While hiking in Marin County, California, I noticed these hard-to-miss plants. Not a true Lilac, but rather a member of the Buckthorn Family, it is one of the most fragrant and colorful native shrubs on the West Coast.
Native Americans have long used California Lilac blossoms for soap. When rubbed between your hands with water, the blossom lathers. And even more surprising, it has a nice wintergreen aroma.
California Lilac supports local wildlife by serving as an important food source for deer. Its seeds are food for quail. And its flowers are a source of nectar for birds, butterflies and bees. Wild Lilac is also a host plant for the California Tortoiseshell butterfly.
This plant can often be found growing in poor, rocky soil and flourishing in drought stricken areas. They are drought and cold tolerant, and prefer dry soil in full sun to achieve the best blooms. Their extensive root systems allow them to anchor in dry, rocky slopes.
Belonging to the genus Ceanothus, California Lilacs, have around 50 to 60 species. Their waxy, small leaves help them endure Northern California’s dry summers.
Another feature of California Lilac is its nitrogen-fixing ability. Most members of this genus have nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their roots that help to nitrify the soil, thereby reducing the need for fertilization but also enables them to survive wildfires. It is considered a pioneer plant because it’s among the first to grow back after a wildfire.