Arctostaphylos pilosula pilosula Atascadero Manzanita

Identification

Description

This very gray, fuzzy manzanita with red stems grows 3' to 6' in height. It grows in the central coast ranges in the Pliocene sand of the area. The other form of A. pilosula also grows on this sandy soil. It is interesting to note that 14 out of the 38 species and their ssp. we grow come from this soil type. Out of Munz's 50 or so species 18 are on or one of their ssp. is on this sand on hard pan. It behaves like sand in nutrients but clay in texture and workability. It can be as shallow as 1-3" or as deep as 20'. Springs commonly appear after winter rains but in the summer it is dust to the hard pan layer. I've drilled through it before at 6' but other places it is 20-30+ feet deep. Some of the plant roots that can penetrate it are Quercus dumosa, Quercus berberidifolia, Heteromeles arbutifolia, Adenostoma fasciculatum, Arctostaphylos glandulosa, Rhamnus spp. Quercus agrifolia, Cupressus nevadensis, and Cercocarpus alnifolius (C. betuloides var. blancheae). This species would be a beautiful addition to central coast gardens with this soil type. It could be used as a foundation planting or as a hedge, etc.

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