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Pacific madrone

Scientific Name: Arbutus menziesii

Family: Ericaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Tree

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Arbutus menziesii: Pacific Madrone

The Pacific madrone, scientifically known as Arbutus menziesii, is a striking evergreen tree native to the western coast of North America. It is also commonly referred to as madrone or Arbutus. The name honors Archibald Menzies, the naturalist who discovered it.

Considerations for Pets

  • The text mentions that the Pacific madrone produces berries.
  • It also mentions the Pacific madrone is subject to a variety of diseases and insects.

Considerations for Children

  • The tree has peeling bark, and the text does not suggest that it should be handled with care.
  • The tree produces berries which were historically hand-picked by humans.
  • The text mentions that the Pacific madrone is subject to a variety of diseases and insects.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Arbutus menziesii
  • Family: Ericaceae (Heather family)
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Synonym: A. procera
  • Taxonomic Status: Species

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to the western coastal areas of North America.
  • Found from southwestern British Columbia south to western Oregon.
  • Also present in the coast ranges to southern California and the Sierra Nevada of central California.
  • Grows on dry, wooded slopes and canyons below 5,000 feet.
  • Prefers growing close to the Pacific Ocean.

Morphological Characteristics

  • A beautiful, elegant broad-leaved evergreen tree, typically 30 - 70 feet tall.
  • Famous for its smooth, reddish-brown trunk.
  • Has large, evergreen leaves that are simple, alternate, persistent, oblong to oval, and 3-6 inches long.
  • Features stunning orange-red bark that exfoliates in tissue-thin layers to reveal a smooth, silvery-green trunk.
  • Produces orange-red berry-like fruits that mature in autumn and remain on the tree until December.
  • The wood is hard.

Ecological Role

  • Roots spread widely and hold soils in place.
  • Host to a variety of pathogens, including canker (Nattrassia mangiferae) and madrone canker (Fusicoccum aesculi).

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Subject to a variety of diseases and insects.
  • Host to canker (Nattrassia mangiferae) and madrone canker (Fusicoccum aesculi).

Traditional Uses

  • Historically, berries were used for food and to make cider.

Quirky Facts

  • The Pacific madrone is one of the largest of about 14 species of Arbutus in the world, and one of only two found in North America.
  • The former champion Pacific madrone in Humboldt County, California, was called the "Council Madrone" because many councils were held under it.

Further Information

  • CalPhotos
  • Dave's Garden
  • Sound Native Plants (www.soundnativeplants.com)
  • Email contact: bholzman@sfsu.edu