Eedstem ceanothus, also known as red soapbloom and Oregon tree- 

 tea, is usually an erect, open shrub 3 to 10 feet high, which ranges 

 from British Columbia to western Montana and northern California. 

 It is a large-leaved species; the current year's twigs being greenish, 

 but those of the preceding season are commonly reddish, a charac- 

 teristic which is reflected in most of the common names applied to 

 the species. Redstem ceanothus largely inhabits the ponderosa pine 

 belt, where it grow r s as scattered shrubs frequently in association 

 with creambush (oceanspray), serviceberry and snowbrush; like 

 those plants it does best on northern and other moist slopes in the 

 open or in partial shade. 



The foliage and tender twigs of this shrub are eaten by all classes 

 of livestock, their palatability generally being considered fair to 

 fairly good for cattle and sheep. Payabilities for this species on 

 some areas are reported as excellent for sheep but this degree of use 

 would probably be reflected in overgrazed conditions. Redstem 

 ceanothus seldom comprises more than a small part of the ground 

 cover. On favorable sites the shrubs tend to be so tall that much of 

 the foliage and edible twigs is out of the reach of livestock. Thus, 

 redstem ceanothus seldom provides a very large amount of forage. 



The thin, deciduous leaves of this species are among the largest of 

 the genus. The white flowers are borne in showy clusters, on leafless 

 stalks arising from the sides of the year-old twigs. 



