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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Arbutus arizonica is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft 3in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in leaf all year, in flower in May, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter with a thin sweetish flesh[82].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent

The bitter principles in the bark and leaves can be used as an astringent[229].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Charcoal Wood

Wood - heavy, soft, close-grained, brittle[82]. It produces a fine grade of charcoal[229].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a lime-free nutrient-rich well-drained moisture-retentive soil in sun or semi-shade and shelter from cold drying winds, especially when young[200]. Succeeds in dry soils[82]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[166, 200]. A slow-growing tree[229].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best surface sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed should be soaked for 5 - 6 days in warm water and then surface sown in a shady position in a greenhouse[78]. Do not allow the compost to become dry. 6 weeks cold stratification helps[134]. The seed usually germinates well in 2 - 3 months at 20°c[134]. Seedlings are prone to damp off[184], they are best transplanted to individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and should be kept well ventilated. Grow them on in a greenhouse for their first winter and then plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts[K]. Basal cuttings in late winter[200]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, November/December in a frame. Poor percentage[78]. Layering of young wood - can take 2 years[1, 200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (New Mexico (southwest), Arizona (southeast)), Mexico (Chihuahua, Durango, Sinaloa, Sonora, Zacatecas, Jalisco)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Arbutus andrachne	Grecian StrawberryTree	Tree	6.0	7-10	S	LM	N	DM	3	0	3
Arbutus canariensis	Canary Madrona	Tree	10.0	7-10		LM	SN	M	2	0
Arbutus menziesii	Madrona, Pacific madrone, Pacific Madrone	Tree	15.0	8-9	M	LM	SN	DM	3	2	2
Arbutus texana	Texas Madrone	Tree	8.0	7-10	S	LM	SN	DM	2	1	2
Arbutus unedo	Strawberry Tree	Tree	9.0	7-11	M	LM	SN	DM	4	2	2
Arbutus x andrachnoides		Tree	10.0	7-10	M	LMH	SN	M	4	0
Arbutus xalapensis	Madrono, Texas madrone	Tree	12.0	7-10	S	LM	SN	DM	2	0
Epigaea repens	Mayflower, Trailing arbutus, Ground Laurel	Shrub	0.1	3-8		LM	S	M	2	2	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Arbutus arizonica - (A.Gray.)Sarg.