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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Arbutus arizonica

Arbutus arizonica (A. Gray) Sarg.

Arizona Madrone

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: ARAR2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Arizona Madrone is a handsome evergreen tree to 45 ft. with smooth, pinkish-brown bark; glossy leaves; small, white, bell-shaped flowers; and small, orange-red berries.

Arbutus is the classical Latin name of Strawberry-tree (Arbutus unedo L.), a related species of southern Europe. Madrono, the Spanish name of that tree, was applied to similar trees of Mexico and California by the early Spanish padres.

 

From the Image Gallery

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Ovate
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Leaf Pubescence: Glabrous
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Apex: Acute
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 45 feet tall.
Leaf: Shiny green
Flower: Flowers 1/4 inch
Fruit: Orange-red. 1/4 in.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AZ , NM
Native Distribution: Mts. of s.e. AZ, s.w. NM & n.w. Mex.
Native Habitat: High altitude, oak woodlands

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Slow-growing.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Rarely browsed, except by goats and mule deer. Birds like the fruit.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

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

Tohono Chul Park, Inc. - Tucson, AZ

Web Reference

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

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-05-31
Research By: TWC Staff

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