| Common Name |
Pointleaf Manzanita, Mexican Manzanita |
| Latin Name |
Arctostaphylos pungens |
| Native Habitat |
Southwest and Mexico from 2,700 feet to 8,000 feet |
| Family |
Ericaceae |
| Sunset zones / USDA zones |
/ 5-10 |
| Type / Form |
Tree / Small |
| Soil |
Dry, decomposed granite, acidic, sand, clay loam low in organic
content, well drained |
| Water |
None to once per month for first year |
| Exposure |
Full sun |
| Height X Width |
Maximum 6 feet X 6 feet |
| Protective Mechanism |
None |
| Leaves |
Green, evergreen, point at sun |
| Flowers |
Monoecious; perfect, urn-shaped, 1/4 inch long,
pinkish-white, occurring in tightly grouped hanging cluster at the ends
of twigs in early spring.
Small,
1/4 inch round, brick red, berry-like drupe that resemble a tiny apple,
maturing in the summer and persistent. |
| Bark / Roots |
Commonly exfoliating to
reveal a smooth, glossy, reddish brown, very attractive bark.
Young twigs are yellow green
and hairy, later they become dark red and smooth, buds are small and
pointy. |
| Maintenance |
Low |
| Propagation |
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. The seed usually
germinates in 2 - 3 months at 15°c. 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. The cuttings are
very slow and can take a year to root. 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. |
| Pests and diseases |
|
| Landscape uses |
Erosion control, rock garden, low maintenance,
background |
| Garden Suitability |
Thornless, Hummingbird, Songbird, Fire Retardant |
| Ornamental Value |
White to pink flowers in late winter to spring, red
berries in summer |
| Nature Value |
Seeds and berries eaten by numerous birds and animals,
hummingbirds use flowers |
| Native American Uses |
Refreshing drink made from berries |
| Links |
|
| Data and images |
http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arcpun/all.html |
| Data and images |
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/99670/ |
| Data and images |
http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=602 |
| Data and images |
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctostaphylos_pungens |
| Data and images |
http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~plants-c/bio414/species%20pages/arctostaphylos%20pungens.htm |
| Data and images |
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ARPU5 |
| Data and images |
http://www.desertmuseumdigitallibrary.org/public/detail.php?id=ASDM09213&sp=Arctostaphylos%20pungens |
| Data and images |
http://www.fireflyforest.com/flowers/165/arctostaphylos-pungens-pointleaf-manzanita/ |
| Data and images |
http://www.delange.org/ManzanitaPointleaf/ManzanitaPointleaf.htm |
| Data and images |
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Arctostaphylos+pungens |
| Data and images |
http://www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/Syllabus2/factsheet.cfm?ID=612 |
| Data and images |
http://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/taxa/index.php?taxon=1082 |
| Nursery, images and data |
http://www.laspilitas.com/plants/74.htm |
| Distribution |
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ARPU5 |
