Most of us from California are aware of the bush or bush-like tree called Manzanita. These plants, of which there are several species, are characterized by smooth, orange-to-dark reddish bark, and brittle and hard branches. A reply to my recent Pacific Madrone Blog-post prompted this post ...and yes, manzanitas are related to Pacific Madrone with all of them falling into the family Ericaceae.
Five species of manzanita (genus Arctostaphylos) are found on the University of California's Hopland Research & Extension Center. Of those five species there are two that have distinct subspecies forms... and if you look at the common names they include: hoary manzanita, Sonoma manzanita, Eastwood manzanita, Stanford manzanita, white-leafed manzanita, and (common) manzanita.
As with the Pacific madrone, the manzanitas also shed the outside bark layer this time of year, but rather in smaller tight curls as the photo shows. This curled bark has been used medicinally by Native Americans as a tea for nausea and upset stomach.
