* Point-leaf (Mexican) Manzanita – Arctostaphylos pungens (ark-toh-STAF-ih-los PUN-jens )

Family: Ericaceae (Heath Family)

Native to: Southwest U.S. and Mexico. In CA inner South Coast Ranges (Monterey, San Benito

cos.), San Gabriel & San Bernardino Mountains, Peninsular Ranges, e Desert Mountains; on rocky slopes, ridges, in chaparral or coniferous forest from 2,700 feet to 8,000 feet.

Growth characteristics: large woody shrub mature height: 5-10 ft. mature width: 5-8 ft. Evergreen large woody shrub. Leaves dark green, shiny & leathery, lance-shaped. Bark red-

brown, shreddy. In nature, form dense thickets in good sites. Burns readily. Shallow roots.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms in late winter to spring. Flowers are the small (1/4 inch), white or pale-

pink urn-shaped flowers typical of manzanitas. Flower clusters dense. Fruit rather small (1/4 inch),

edible, ripens to bright red in summer – extremely showy.

Uses in the garden: Can be used as a large shrub or pruned up as a small tree. Dense enough to

make a good large hedge/screen or at the back of a woodland or chaparral garden. Good on hot, dry slopes. Wonderful, sculptural shape when mature – nice accent. Good with native oaks, pines,

Coffeeberry, Toyon. Very tough and hardy yet really stunning year-round. Fruits used for jelly/syrup & to make ‘Manzanita cider’.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native large shrubs like camellia, privet & Xylosma.

Attracts: Excellent habitat plant for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and fruit-eating birds, others.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun – can take really hot conditions.

Soil Well-drained soils (rocky or sandy best); acidic (pH 5.1-7.5).

Water Very drought tolerant once established; Zone 1-2 (1-2 times per summer) best.

Fertilizer None.

Other Pine needle mulch will acidify soils.

Management: Prune to shape when young (if desired); then just prune out dead branches during dry weather (sterilize pruners between cuts to prevent spread of disease). Low maintenance.

Propagation: from seed: difficult; heat & cold treat by cuttings: semi-soft wood in fall

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 6, 13 11/30/11 © Project SOUND