Common Name: Pine-Mat Manzanita

General Information

Arctostaphylos nevadensis is an evergreen, much-branched, prostrate or mound-forming shrub growing from 10 - 60cm tall. The plant forms adventitious roots when the branches touch the soil[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, making a good ground cover[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

South-western N. America - Washington, Oregon, California, Nevda.

Habitat

Montane areas[]. High-elevation forests and montane chaparral; at elevations from 600 - 2,700 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.10 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Arctostaphylos nevadensis grows in a modified maritime climate - the winters are wet, but high pressure systems in summer result in clear, dry weather. Precipitation may be rain or snow, depending upon elevation. The plant occurs at elevations of 610 - 3,049 metres, and is most common above 1,524 metres - the typical growing season is therefore
short; snowpack often does not melt until mid summer[].
Requires a deep moist well-drained light or medium lime-free loam in sun or semi-shade but plants produce less fruit when grown in the shade[]. Prefers a position in full sun[]. Grows well in shade[]. Plants at Kew were growing very well in a shady position on a NE slope in 1990[]. Grows well in a sandy seashore garden[]. Soils supporting pinemat manzanita are typically shallow, infertile, and poorly developed. Textures vary from sand to loam and often contain coarse fragments. It also tolerates serpentine soils but is not restricted to them[].
This species is closely related to Arctostaphylos uva-ursi[, ].
The plant hybridizes in the wild with Arctostaphylos patula[].
Plants resent root disturbance and should be placed in their final positions as soon as possible[].
This species is often killed by fire, but the subspecies knightii has a burl from which it resprouts after a fire[].

Edible Uses

Seed - ground into a powder and added to soups etc[]. The seed is very small and would be difficult to separate from the fruit. It would be easier to dry the whole fruit, grind this into a powder and use it in soups etc[].

Fruit[, , ]. The fruit can be eaten fresh or dried and stored for later use[]. It can also be pulverised and made into a drink[]. The dark-brown, globose fruit is 6 - 8mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

The leaves are used in the treatment of diarrhoea[].

The whole plant is used as an antidote for poisoning by poison oak, Toxicodendron diversiloba[]. It was probably applied externally as a wash to the skin[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A good ground-cover plant for steep sandy banks[, ]. A carpeting plant, growing quite rapidly and rooting as it spreads[].
The plant is recommended for stabilizing soils on steep slopes[]. Containerized plants, grown to prevent erosion of soil into Lake Tahoe, California, showed 63% survival after 12 years when planted in spring, whilst only 23% survived when planted in the autumn[].
The plant is considered to be an indicator of cold, dry sites[].

Other Uses

A yellowish-brown dye is obtained from the leaves, it does not require a mordant[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe. Arctostaphylos seeds, especially if not sown fresh, are generally stimulated into germinating by one of two methods. The most effective is fire passing quickly over seeds that are lying dormant in the soil - this breaks down their surface coat allowing them to imbibe moisture when it next rains and then germinate. Alternatively, stomach acids act upon the seed coat when the fruit is eaten by various animals - the seed frequently passes through the gut unharmed and is deposited in a convenient pile of nutrients when the animal defecates - the seed will often still benefit from a period of winter cold before germinating in the spring. Both of these methods can be somewhat reproduced by the gardener - the seed can be placed under some straw which is then set alight - both seeds and ashes should be sown. Alternatively, pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water will have somewhat the same effect as stomach acids. Follow this treatment with a cold stratification at 2 - 5°c for 2 months[, ]. The seed will then usually germinate in 2 - 3 months at 15°c[]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots, being very careful no to damage the roots, and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame for at least their first winter, Plant out in late spring or early summer.
Cuttings of side shoots of the current season's growth, 5 - 8cm with a heel, late summer to early winter in a frame. Takes one year[, ].
Division in early spring. Take care because the plant resents root disturbance. Pot the divisions up and keep them in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are growing away actively.
Layering in spring[].