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Arbutus arizonica - (A.Gray.)Sarg.

Common Name Arizona Maderone
Family Ericaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry gravelly benches, 1800 - 2400 metres[82].
Range South-western N. America - S. Arizona to New Mexico.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Arbutus arizonica Arizona Maderone


http://www.flickr.com/photos/15363357@N00/4770529
Arbutus arizonica Arizona Maderone
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Cillas

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
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:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

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 it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Arbutus andrachneGrecian StrawberryTreeTree6.0 7-10 SLMNDM303
Arbutus canariensisCanary MadronaTree10.0 7-10  LMSNM20 
Arbutus menziesiiMadrona, Pacific madrone, Pacific MadroneTree15.0 8-9 MLMSNDM322
Arbutus texanaTexas MadroneTree8.0 7-10 SLMSNDM212
Arbutus unedoStrawberry TreeTree9.0 7-11 MLMSNDM422
Arbutus x andrachnoides Tree10.0 7-10 MLMHSNM40 
Arbutus xalapensisMadrono, Texas madroneTree12.0 7-10 SLMSNDM20 
Epigaea repensMayflower, Trailing arbutus, Ground LaurelShrub0.1 3-8  LMSM222

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

(A.Gray.)Sarg.

Botanical References

82200

Links / References

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