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Arctostaphylos hookeri
Arctostaphylos hookeri G. Don
Hooker's Manzanita, Monterey Manzanita
Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: arho3
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A low-growing shrub, 1-5 ft. high, with a mounded habit. Bark is smooth and reddish-brown. Leaves are light green. Inflorescences are small and few-flowered. The bell-shaped flowers are whitish-pink and are followed by bright red, glossy berries.
The species of this plant is named for William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865) who was Director of Kew Gardens from 1841-1865. He wrote “Flora boreali-americana” and many other works. He was founder and editor of the “Journal of Botany”.
From the Image Gallery
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Elliptic , Obovate , Ovate
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Apex: Mucronate
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Inflorescence: Raceme
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Height 1 to 5 feet, spread 6 to 8 feet.
Leaf: Bright green.
Flower: Flowers 1/4 inch.
Fruit: Reddish-brown 3/16 inch across.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PinkBloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr
Distribution
USA: CANative Distribution: Monterey Co., CA
Native Habitat: Sandy, coastal pine or oak woods
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Sun , Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Sandy soils.
Conditions Comments: Horticultural selections of this species are often available.
Benefit
Use Food: Manzanita berries were used to make a refreshing, cider-like drink by indigenous peoples.Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds
Nectar Source: yes
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Propagation Material: Seeds , Softwood CuttingsDescription: 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 698 - Native Plants for Use in the California Landscape (1978) Labadie, E. L.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 37 - Calscape (2019) California Native Plant SocietyWebref 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 hookeri in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Arctostaphylos hookeri in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Arctostaphylos hookeri
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-04-03Research By: TWC Staff