Pointleaf Manzanita
Arctostaphylos pungens
Also known as: Manzanita
- Native to:
- Guatemala, Mexico, United States
Stan Shebs
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Genus:
- Arctostaphylos
- Species:
- Arctostaphylos pungens
- USDA Symbol:
- ARPU5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- 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)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Aseptis ethnica, Aseptis fumeola, Cecropis moth (Automeris cecrops), Columbia silk moth (Hyalophora columbia), Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidoides), Elegant sphinx (Sphinx perelegans), Epinotia subplicana, Eupithecia graefii, Hydriomena manzanita, Splendid Royal Moth (Citheronia splendens), sulphur moth (Hesperumia sulphuraria), Brown Elfin (Incisalia augustinus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bees, butterflies, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from basal burl after fire. Fire stimulates germination of soil seed bank and promotes dense regrowth in chaparral communities.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, sandy, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 5.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in chaparral and desert regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 30–120 days
- Notes:
- Seeds have hard, impermeable seed coats requiring scarification followed by cold stratification. Germination can be erratic and slow even with proper treatment.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Scarify, then cold-moist stratify for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI
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