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Arctostaphylos patula
Arctostaphylos patula Greene
Greenleaf Manzanita, Green-leaf Manzanita
Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Synonym(s): Arctostaphylos acutifolia, Arctostaphylos parryana var. pinetorum, Arctostaphylos patula ssp. platyphylla, Arctostaphylos patula var. coalescens
USDA Symbol: ARPA6
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Green-leaf manzanita is a spreading, much-branched shrub, usually 3-6 ft. tall, with several stems. Its smooth, bright, red-brown, inner bark is revealed as the outer bark shreds off. Round, evergreen leaves are bright green, and the pink, bell-shaped flowers occur in clusters.
A fire-resistant shrub often used as erosion control. Stems root where they touch the ground.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Ovate
Leaf Venation: Palmate
Leaf Pubescence: Glabrous
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Apex: Acute
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Flowers Bisexual , Monoecious
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Up to about 10 feet tall, often shorter.
Leaf: Green
Fruit: Red, Brown, Black 1/4 in.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: PinkBloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , CO , MT , NV , OR , UT , WANative Distribution: Sierra Nevadas and North Coast Ranges of CA & OR, e. to CO & n. AZ; also Lake Co., MT
Native Habitat: Open, coniferous, mt. forests; 2000-9000 ft.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Well-drained, slightly acid soils.
Conditions Comments: A fire resistant shrub often used as erosion control. Stems root where they touch the ground.
Benefit
Use Food: Indigenous Californians used manzanita berries to make a cider-like drink.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
Description: Propagation by seed is can be difficult. Increase can be accomplished through layering.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
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
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
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.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 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 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 patula in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Arctostaphylos patula in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Arctostaphylos patula
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-17Research By: TWC Staff