This document summarizes information about the Point-leaf Manzanita (Arctostaphylos pungens), a large evergreen shrub native to the southwest U.S. and Mexico. It grows 5-10 feet tall and wide, with dark green, leathery leaves and red-brown bark. It blooms in late winter to spring with small white or pink urn-shaped flowers. The fruit ripens to bright red in summer and is edible. It is drought tolerant once established and can be used as a large shrub, hedge, or small tree in gardens. It attracts bees, butterflies and birds and requires full sun, well-drained soil and minimal water once established.

1. * Point-leaf (Mexican) Manzanita – Arctostaphylos pungens
(ark-toh-STAF-ih-los PUN-jens )
Family: Ericaceae (Heath Family)
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.
Native to:
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 redbrown, shreddy. In nature, form dense thickets in good sites. Burns readily. Shallow roots.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms in late winter to spring. Flowers are the small (1/4 inch), white or palepink urn-shaped flowers typical of manzanitas. Flower clusters dense. Fruit rather small (1/4 inch),
edible, ripens to bright red in summer – extremely showy.
Blooms/fruits:
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
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun – can take really hot conditions.
Well-drained soils (rocky or sandy best); acidic (pH 5.1-7.5).
Very drought tolerant once established; Zone 1-2 (1-2 times per summer) best.
None.
Pine needle mulch will acidify soils.
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.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: difficult; heat & cold treat
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 6, 13
by cuttings: semi-soft wood in fall
11/30/11
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