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Arctostaphylos edmundsii
Arctostaphylos edmundsii J.T. Howell
Little Sur Manzanita
Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Synonym(s): Arctostaphylos edmundsii var. parvifolia, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ssp. emundsii, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi var. parvifolia
USDA Symbol: ared
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A prostrate to mounded shrub, 1-5 ft. tall, usually attaining a spread of 6 ft. The small, light-green, leathery, glossy leaves are tinged with red. Compact clusters of white to pink, urn-shaped flowers give way to red berries.
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Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Elliptic , Ovate
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Height 1 to 5 feet, spread 6 feet or more.
Leaf: Light yellow-green.
Fruit: Reddish-brown 1/4 inch across.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PinkBloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Nov , Dec
Distribution
USA: CANative Distribution: Monterey Co., CA
Native Habitat: Chaparral; coastal bluffs & canyons; below 800 ft.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Poor, dry, well-drained soil.
Conditions Comments: Overhead watering can encourage fungal diseases, causing branches to die back. Plant roots along the stems. Often used as a ground cover. Fast-growing for a manzanita.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Makes a nice ground cover or border.Use Food: Manzanita berries were used to make a refreshing, cider-like drink by indigenous peoples.
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
Maintenance: Cut back when young to form shape.
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 1218 - Tending the Wild: Native American Knowledge and the Management of California's Natural Resources (2006) Anderson, M. KatSearch 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.
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 edmundsii in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Arctostaphylos edmundsii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Arctostaphylos edmundsii
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-04-03Research By: TWC Staff