Santa Catalina Island Manzanita
Arctostaphylos catalinae
- Native to:
- United States
John Rusk (www.flickr.com) from Berkeley, CA, United States of America
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Genus:
- Arctostaphylos
- Species:
- Arctostaphylos catalinae
- USDA Symbol:
- ARCA21
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 600 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jan,feb,mar,apr
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
- Evergreen Shrub:
- Yes
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bees, butterflies, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from basal burl after fire. Fire stimulates flowering and seed production in subsequent years.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to Catalina Island, prefers coastal conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 30–120 days
- Notes:
- Scarification followed by cold-moist stratification improves germination. Seeds may be erratic and slow to germinate even under ideal conditions.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: For seeds: Scarification using a blender, soaking in water for 24 hours, placement in a flat filled with medium and covered with a layer of chamise and pine needles, and cold moist stratification at 40°F for several months. For cuttings: Recut to 3-4 inch lengths, wounding on one or both sides of stems, dipping in a Physan fungicide solution, and application of Hormex (#3 or #8) rooting powder to base and lateral wounds.
Establishment: Catalina manzanita is a rare and endangered species found in chaparral habitats. Seeds can be collected from late July to mid November, with August and September being optimum. Cuttings are collected in late January from non-flowering shoots. Germination percentages are highly variable and typically low.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Expose to fluctuation outdoor winter temperatures including freezing for 3 months. Gradually increase light and temperature in the spring. Requires light or the seed is very fine. Surface sow and expose to light. Requires scarification. Nick or rub between sheets of sandpaper. Requires soaking. Place in warm water until seeds swell, usually 24-48 hours. Discard water and any seeds that remain floating. * immerse in boiling water for 20 seconds