Arctostaphylos mariposa

Identification

Description

Mariposa Manzanita is native to the lower margins of the Sierra chaparral community. (see also A. glauca, A. viscida and A. manzanita.) The red trunks and grey foliage are dramatic. NOT GARDEN TOLERANT. It tolerates summer water the first two years only, then one summer watering will usually kill it. Because of this I cannot recommend this manzanita in any of the hot interior portions of California or the desert margins (use A. Dr. Hurd' or A. pungens). If you live in the middle Sierras on red clay or decomposed granite, use it. In coastal areas it will do fine as long as you do not water past the 3rd year during the summer-fall period. In the area of the foothills of the central Sierra Nevada this is one of the common chaparral components. The gray foliage and red bark make a showy planting amongst boulders with a mulch layer. It is excellent combined with oaks or pines. Associated plants range from Pinus Sabiniana, Fraxinus dipetala, Rhamnus ilicifolia, Rhus trilobata, Quercus wislizenii, Cercocarpus betuloides, Ceanothus cuneatus, Quercus douglasii to Pinus ponderosa with Libocedrus (Calocedrus) decurrens . Arctostaphylos viscida is very similar to A. mariposa. Ironically, A. mariposa is the more hairy and glandular. A. viscida is generally the less drought tolerant than A. mariposa and generally occurs at 3000-5000 ft. Arctostaphylos mariposa is now considered a subspecies of Arctostaphylos viscida and its correct name is Arctostaphylos viscida ssp. mariposa.