Bush Rue

Cneoridium dumosum, commonly called bush rue, is an occasional component of the chaparral community in southern California. It is not as common or as well known as some other chaparral species such as manzanita, and it is not often found in gardens. It should be used more. I love it because I see it in native habitats around Encinitas. I am trying to recreate that look at home. Here's a large, old plant that I saw earlier this year in one of the few remaining patches of native vegetation in Encinitas.

I have one bush rue in my garden. It is only about three years old and still rather small, but this year it decided to bloom. It is blooming right now with just a few flowers but still worth celebrating.

A surprising fact about bush rue is that it is a member of the Rutaceae or citrus family. The flower is very similar to those found on orange trees, and the fragrance is similar too. In the wild it is found on the coastal side of the mountains from Orange County to northern Baja. The leaves are simple, linear to obovate and dotted with glands which give it that distinctive citrus smell. Because of these glands and the chemicals that create the odor, some people have a dermatitis reaction to it. According to The Baja California Plant Field Guide (Rebman and Roberts, 3rd ed. 2012) the dermatitis is caused by light-sensitizing plant chemicals reacting to long-wave ultraviolet light.

Cneoridium is a genus with only one species in it, which I always find interesting. Why did this part of the citrus family not give rise to any other species, either here or elsewhere in the world? 

Calscape says the shrub grows to around 3 ft. by 3 ft., but I have seen taller ones in the wild, up to 6 ft. The big ones develop a large woody trunk. The leaves turn gold in dry periods but generally remain on the plant. Below is a photo of one from near Lake Hodges in October.

I highly recommend Cneoridium dumosum for native plant gardens in San Diego and Orange Counties. Calscape says that 9 nurseries carry it. For additional information on growing it, see Calscape.