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Native Plant Database

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Arctostaphylos canescens Eastw.

Hoary manzanita

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

USDA Symbol: ARCA5

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

This evergreen shrub may be erect and 3-6 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 Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Ovate
Leaf Pubescence: Tomentose
Leaf: Gray
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

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.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

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 either on display or available from the following:

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

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From the Archive

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

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

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: 2008-10-19
Research By: TWC Staff

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