Practical
Plants

Arctostaphylos manzanita

Manzanita

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Arctostaphylos genus in the family Ericaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Ericaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
2 m
Spread
2 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[13][14][16]. An agreeable acid flavour but the fruit is dry and mealy[19]. Hard to digest, the fruit should be eaten in moderation[19]. It can be dried and ground into a powder[2][6] and then used as a flavouring in soups, bread etc[11][12]. A cooling drink can be made from the fruit[6]. The berries can be crushed to make a sweet, unfermented cider[12].

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 poultice of the chewed leaves is applied to sores and headaches[12]. The leaves are chewed as a treatment for stomach ache and cramps[12]. An infusion of the leaves is used to treat severe colds and diarrhoea[12]. A cider made from the fruit is used in the treatment of stomach complaints and as an appetizer to create appetite[12].

Product or use
Appetizer
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Stomachic

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[8]. The leaves can be boiled and the yellowish-red extract used as a cleansing body wash[12]. The wood makes an exceedingly fine fuel[12].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Fuel
Product or use
Soap

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - California.
Habitat
Dry coastal slopes and in canyons up to 1200 metres[17][10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
very acid, acid
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
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[3][10]. Another report says that the seed requires 60 days warm followed by 60 days cold stratification[5]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 months at 15°c[4]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame or greenhouse 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][18]. 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[10].

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 but plants produce less fruit when they are grown in the shade[10]. Prefers a warm sunny position[13][7]. Tolerates maritime exposure[15][7][9]. Plants are not hardy in the colder parts of Britain, they tolerate temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[10]. Pollination is often poor in Britain[13]. Another report says that the plant does not fruit in this country[3]. This species is called A. pungens manzanita by some botanists[3]. A specimen seen at Cambridge B.G. was 2.5m tall in 1989[K]. Plants resent root disturbance and should be placed in their final positions as soon as possible[3][4].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987.

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  6. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

    ↩1↩2

  7. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  8. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

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  9. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

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  10. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  11. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

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  12. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  13. Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  15. Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.

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  16. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  17. Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00

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  18. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

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  19. Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-486-23310-3

    ↩1↩2

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