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Anderson, Wynn

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

6 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

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: 2025-04-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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