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manzanita

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IDENTIFICATION

Common Name

manzanita

Photo #1

Scientific Name

Arctostaphylos pungens Kunth

Family

Ericaceae

Species Description

An erect, large, rounded, evergreen shrub that reaches up to 10 ft in height. Smooth, dark red bark. Leaves covered with fine hairs and are thick, leathery, and oval shaped. The inflorescence is a raceme of perfect, urn-shaped, terminal flowers, 1/4 inch long. The fruit is a round berry, up to 1/3 in diameter, containing 1 to several seeds. Shrubs often occurs in dense stands.

NATURAL / CULTURAL HISTORY

AZ Native or Introduced

Native of Arizona

Natural Range

Manzanita (A. pungens) occurs discontinuously throughout the mountainous areas of Arizona, New Mexico, southern California, extreme southern Nevada and Utah, western Texas, and much of Mexico.

Natural Habitat

Manzanita grows on foothills, mountain slopes, dry rocky slopes, mesas, and in canyons, pine-oak woodlands, and chaparral.

Cultural-Historic Notes

Pointleaf manzanita (A. pungens) was an important food of the Native Americans. Stands of manzanita were at times managed for production of food, firewood, and construction materials. The fruits were smashed and used to make a beverage, eaten raw, or made into cakes. Leaves were occasionally mixed with tobacco for smoking or used in a tea for several types of remedies.

GROWTH FORM & RATE

Growth Form

Shrub

Tree or Understory

Understory

Other Growth Characteristics

Evergreen

Growth Rate

Moderate

Canopy Diameter

3-10 feet

Tree Height

3-10 feet

Chill Hours

Unknown

Freeze Tolerance

Very cold hardy

Site, Micro-Climate, and Growing Considerations

Full sun

Elevation Range

3000-8000 ft

Appropriate Arizona Elevation Categories

HIGH MOUNTAIN: Flagstaff - USDA Zone 6b (-5ºF-0ºF)
HIGH PLATEAU, MOUNTAIN: Prescott, Tuba City, Winslow, Page - USDA Zones 7a-7b (0ºF-10ºF)
HIGH DESERT: Sierra Vista, Kingman, Globe, Wilcox - USDA Zones 8a-8b (10-20ºF)

USDA Interactive Plant Zone Map for Arizona

USDA Interactive Plant Zone Map for Arizona

WATER

Relative Plant Water Use

Low: 10-20 inches / year

Post-Establishment Irrigation Needs

None

Notes on Species-Specific Water Needs

Young manzanita shrubs may need supplemental irrigation until well established.

CARE

Pollination

Monoecious, insect pollinated.

Soils

Manzanita grows on well-drained gravelly sandy loams derived from granitic parent materials. Soils tend to be poorly developed, unstable, coarse, and generally acidic. Naturally associates with "abundant amounts" of mycorrhizae that enhance mineral nutrient and water uptake of the roots.

Propagation

Manzanita seed must be scarified by fire to germinate. Natural regeneration depends on germination of seed after fire.

Pest & Disease Control

None known

Pruning Notes

None

HARVEST & PROCESSING

Edible Parts

Fruits used in jelly, commonly found in markets in Mexico. Manzanita berries can be eaten raw or cooked. They have an agreeable sweet-acidic flavor but the fruit is dry, mealy, and hard to digest and should be eaten in moderation or mixed with other fruit. The berries can be dried and ground into a powder and then used as mush. They can also be used to make a cooling drink.

Harvest Months

July
August

Harvest and Processing Guide

Harvest and Processing Guide

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EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

This website and other LEAF Network products shown here was prepared under the Diverse Urban Forest grant, WCG 14-501, administered by the Arizona Community Tree Council. Funds for this project were provided by the Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program administered through Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management – Urban and Community Forestry Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. In accordance with Federal law and USDA policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability (Not all prohibited basis applies to all programs). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.