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Arctostaphylos canescens

Arctostaphylos canescens Eastw.

Hoary Manzanita

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: ARCA5

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

This evergreen shrub may be erect and 3-10 ft. high or sprawling and shorter. Bark is dark red-brown. The leaves are light green and covered with a soft, white pubescence, giving and overall gray appearance. White to pinkish, bell-shaped flowers occur in short, dense clusters.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Ovate
Leaf Pubescence: Tomentose
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Up to about 10 feet tall.
Leaf: Gray

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: CA , OR
Native Distribution: Coastal areas of n. CA to s. Douglas & Josephine Cos., OR
Native Habitat: Dry, gravelly or rocky slopes; 1000-5000 ft.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Dry, rocky or sandy soils.

Benefit

Use Food: Manzanita berries were used to make a refreshing, cider-like drink by indigenous peoples.
Use Other: Young shoots of manzanita used for fire drills by indigenous peoples.
Attracts: Birds
Nectar Source: yes

Propagation

Description: Propagation by seed is can be difficult.
Seed Collection: The outer fleshy part of the furit may be removed by macering the fruits with water and separating the nutlets by flotation or air-screening.
Seed Treatment: Seeds of most Arctostaphylos species have hard seed coats and dormant embryos. Scarification (several hours in H2SO4) followed by stratification may improve germination.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Bibliography

Bibref 1218 - Tending the Wild: Native American Knowledge and the Management of California's Natural Resources (2006) Anderson, M. Kat

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1987 VOL. 4, NO.2 - Wildflowers Provide Activity in Summer, Beautiful Colorado Beckons, What is Rese...

Additional resources

USDA: Find Arctostaphylos canescens in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Arctostaphylos canescens in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Arctostaphylos canescens

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-11-23
Research By: TWC Staff

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