Ceanothus verrucosus is a rare species of shrub in the Buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae) known by the common names wart-stem ceanothus, barranca brush, and white coast ceanothus. It is endemic to Baja California and San Diego County, where it grows in coastal chaparral and scrub. Much of the coastal land that hosts this plant in the San Diego area has been claimed for development, but many populations still remain scattered around the region, such as one protected at Torrey Pines. This is an erect shrub approaching 3 meters in maximum height. The evergreen leaves, each up to about 1.5 centimeters long, are alternately arranged on bumpy stems. The flowers are held in a cluster up to around a foot. The flower is white except for its characteristic dark center. The fruit is a capsule about half a centimeter long.
Ceanothus verrucosus is one of the easier Ceanothus species to grow in southern California. It seems to tolerate summer water slightly better, and tolerates tough drought conditions much better than most other southern California Ceanothus species. But it does best with monthly summer water it’s first year, and then left alone after that. It produces a spectacular display of white flowers in late winter, often early March. It tends to grow in an attractive fanned-out form, and its leaves stay green and healthy looking even through a long dry summer with no water.