Arctostaphylos columbiana
Hairy Manzanita
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Arctostaphylos genus in the family Ericaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Genus
- Arctostaphylos
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 1.5 m
- Fertility
- Self fertile, Bees, Self
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees, Self
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw or cooked[9][5]. The fruit is best harvested when slightly under-ripe since the fully mature pulp is mealy[6]. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter[7].
- Plant part
- Fruit
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A decoction of the bark is used in the treatment of diarrhoea[8].
- Product or use
- Astringent
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A yellowish-brown dye is obtained from the leaves, it does not require a mordant[4]. The wood burns with a bright light and so was used at dances and ceremonials by the native North American Indians[8]. The wood is hard and is used for making tools and awl handles[8].
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Fuel
- Product or use
- Wood
Environment
- Range
- Western N. America
- Habitat
- Near the coast[10].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- very acid, acid
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe. Pre-soak dried seed in boiling water for 10 - 20 seconds or burn some straw on top of them and then stratify at 2 - 5°c for 2 months[2][7]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 months at 15°c[3]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame for at least their first winter, Plant out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of side shoots of the current season's growth, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August to December in a frame. Takes one year[1][11]. Division in early spring. Take care because the plant resents root disturbance. Pot the divisions up and keep them in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are growing away actively. Layering in spring[7]. Layering in spring[7].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a deep moist well-drained light or medium lime-free loam in sun or semi-shade[2][3][7] but plants produce less fruit when they are grown in the shade[7]. Plants resent root disturbance and should be placed in their final positions as soon as possible[3]. This species is very closely related to A. tomentosa, but with a more northerly range[2].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00
Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7
Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00