Downy manzanita, Woolly manzanita
Arctostaphylos tomentosa

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

A small evergreen tree. It grows 2.4 m high and spreads 3 m wide. It is divided into 9 subspecies. The bark is smooth and reddish. The bark is rough and the twigs are hairy. The leaves are hairy. The flowers are white or pink. The fruit are red.

There are about 50 Arctostaphylos species.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate plant. It will tolerate temperatures down to -5°C. It suits hardiness zones 8-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Mexico, North America (country/location of origin), USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are used to make a cooling drink. The fruit are also eaten when not quite ripe. The fruit can be dried and made into bread.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Shaggy bark manzanita

Synonyms

Arbutus tomentosa Pursh; Arctostaphylos cordifolia Lindl.; Arctostaphylos procera Lindl. ex Printz; and several others