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Arctostaphylos pringlei

Arctostaphylos pringlei Parry

Pringle Manzanita, Pinkbract Manzanita

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: ARPR

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A gray-green leaved shrub from usually 4-6 ft., which sometime forms impenetrable thickets. The flowers are small, white to pinkish, and bell-shaped, occuring in clusters. They are followed by red berries. The bark is smooth and mahogany-colored.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Up to about 15 feet tall, often much shorter.

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , NV , UT
Native Distribution: S. CA, extreme s.w. UT & AZ
Native Habitat: Dry, mountain slopes; 4000-7500 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: A valuable plant for erosion control. Because stems root where they touch the ground, a thick mat may be created. This can be a problem if one is attempting to grow other, less competitive, plants on the site.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Birds, bears and other animals eat the fruits.
Use Food: Manzanita berries were used to make a refreshing, cider-like drink by indigenous peoples.
Attracts: Birds
Nectar Source: yes

Bibliography

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

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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.

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-17
Research By: TWC Staff

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