SafePlants

Arizona Madrone (Arbutus arizonica)

The Arizona Madrone, scientifically known as Arbutus arizonica, is a striking tree native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Members of the Arbutus genus are commonly referred to as madrones or madronas.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Arbutus arizonica (A. Gray) Sarg.
• Common Name: Arizona Madrone
• Family: Ericaceae (Heath family)
• Symbol: ARAR2

Distribution and Habitat

• The Arizona Madrone is found in the foothills and lower mountains of southern Arizona and New Mexico, extending south into northern Mexico, specifically the Sierra Madre Occidental and western Mexico as far south as Jalisco.
• It thrives in moist montane forests, often growing alongside plants like Quercus hypoleucoides.
• Its range can be visualized through interactive maps, such as those available from the Atlas of United States Trees.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• The Arizona Madrone can be either an evergreen tree or a large shrub, typically reaching heights of up to 45-50 feet, with some specimens reaching a diameter of 1.5 feet.
• It is noted for its elegant trunk and distinctive bark, which is typically light gray to reddish-gray. The bark grows in rectangular segments or plates.
• It features smooth, pinkish-brown bark and glossy evergreen leaves.
• It produces small, white, bell-shaped flowers, approximately 1/4 inch long, which grow in racemes (clusters) of about 3 inches at the twig ends.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant has berries.

Considerations for Children

• This plant has berries.

Ecological Role

• The Arizona Madrone is an important, though understudied, tree species in fire-prone Madrean pine-oak communities.
• Its response to fire is an area of active research.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Eulophids (specifically, Achrysocharoides) have been observed creating blotch mines on Arizona Madrone leaves.

Quirky Facts

• The Arizona Madrone is sometimes referred to as the Strawberry Tree.
• One specimen of Arizona Madrone was recognized as the largest known tree of its species and added to the American Forests Champion Trees list in 2011.

Further Information

• Additional information can be found in the Encyclopedia of Life.
• The RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) also provides information on Arbutus arizonica.
• Discover Life offers information on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of the Arizona Madrone.