Pacific Madrone
Arbutus menziesii
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Genus:
- Arbutus
- Species:
- Arbutus menziesii
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- More than 40 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar, apr, may
- Bloom Colors:
- White
Native Range
United States: California, Oregon, Washington, Canada: British Columbia
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Aseptis ethnica, Bent-line gray (Iridopsis larvaria), Ceanothus Silkmoth (Hyalophora euryalus), Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma americana), Egira crucialis, Elegant sphinx (Sphinx perelegans), Epinotia emarginana, Epinotia terracoctana, Eupithecia graefii, Eupithecia maestosa, Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), Gelechia panella, Hydriomena manzanita, madrone shield bearer (Coptodisca arbutiella), Marmara arbutiella, Mendocino saturnia moth (Saturnia mendocino), orange tortrix moth (Argyrotaenia citrana), Orthosia pacifica, Pero mizon, Phyllonorycter arbutusella, Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), Pseudochelaria arbutina, Spiramater lutra, Splendid Royal Moth (Citheronia splendens), Spotted Tussock Moth (Lophocampa maculata), Walter's saturnia moth (Saturnia walterorum), Western tent caterpillar (Malacosoma californica), Brown Elfin (Incisalia augustinus)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, rocky or sandy soil
- pH:
- 5.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers poor, nutrient-poor soils
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Seeds germinated at 21 C
Source: npn.rngr.net