Stems erect to ascending. Flowers: sepals and petals usually pale blue to lavender, rarely pink or white. Capsules globose. 2n = 24.

Flowering Feb–Apr. Rocky serpentine slopes and ridges, chaparral; 200–800 m; Calif.

Variety jepsonii occurs in the outer North Coast Ranges of California, from Mendocino County south to Marin County. Plants in one population from Marin County with five sepals and petals have been called Ceanothus decornutus V. T. Parker.