New Jersey Tea Tree
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It is native to missouri where it occurs in prairies glades dry open woods and thickets throughout the state steyermark.
New jersey tea tree. Flowers provide a source of food for butterflies. Plant two to three feet apart to create a low growing drought tolerant native hedge. The dried leaves of new jersey tea make a flavorful tea that was popular during the revolutionary war. Deep tree like roots of this shrub make it drought tolerant but difficult to move once established so choose your spot wisely.
Ceanothus americanus commonly called new jersey tea is a compact dense rounded shrub which typically grows 2 3 tall less frequently to 4. Prairie nursery new jersey tea plant is excellent for attracting hummingbirds. A deciduous shrub that grows just 3 tall and is compact and rounded by nature. The leaves have a fresh scent of wintergreen and were later utilized by the white colonizers as a tea substitute and stimulating caffeine free beverage.
These indigenous medicinal practices continue today. New jersey tea ceanothus americanus. The roots and root bark of new jersey tea was used extensively by the north american indians to treat fevers and. Roots and root bark are antispasmodic anti syphilitic strongly astringent expectorant haemostatic and sedative.
Leaves can be dried and made into a tea a common practice during the revolutionary war. Use it in masses for best affect as a tall ground cover or on steep slopes. While the flowers are remarkable on their own new jersey tea is a nectar source and a caterpillar and larva host attracting an array of beautiful butterflies. The luxuriant glossy leaves and bright white flowers make this durable shrub a real winner.
New jersey tea ceanothus americanus is a deciduous shrub that is native to north america. Roots are used in the treatment of complaints such as asthma. It is best planted in gardens located within usda zones 4 to 8 and it bears clusters of white flowers at the start of summer. The red roots and root bark of new jersey tea were commonly used by north american indians for infections of the upper respiratory tract.