Common Name: Hairy Manzanita

General Information

Arctostaphylos columbiana is an evergreen shrub or a small tree with a broadly spreading, oval crown; it usually grows from 1 - 5 metres tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of wood. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Western N. America - British Colombia to California

Habitat

Chaparral, gaps and margins of conifer forests along the coast, sometimes extending inland, open areas around rock outcrops; at elevations from sea level to around 1,000 metres, occasionally to 1,400 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a deep moist well-drained light or medium lime-free loam in sun or semi-shade[, , ] but plants produce less fruit when they are grown in the shade[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 7, but plants are capable of growing in exceedingly acid conditions - even with a pH as low as 2.8 plants are able to survive, albeit rather dwarfed[].
Plants resent root disturbance and should be placed in their final positions as soon as possible[].
The plant is generally not tolerant of fire and is unable to regenerate. Seeds in the soil, however, are stimulated into germinating by the fire, leading to a recolonization of the area[].
This species is very closely related to Arctostaphylos tomentosa, but with a more northerly range[].
The plant hybridizes in the wild with Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, producing low shrubs 50 - 100cm tall with intermediate vegetative characters. Referred to as Arctostaphylos × media Piper, these hybrids have been reported from British Columbia, California, Oregon, and Washington[]..

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, ]. The fruit is best harvested when slightly under-ripe since the fully mature pulp is mealy[]. The fruit is about 8 - 11mm in diameter[, ].

Medicinal

A decoction of the bark is used in the treatment of diarrhoea[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Within its native range, the plant is an initial or secondary colonizer of disturbed plant communities. It is commonly found in communities which develop after removal of the forest overstorey, persisting in the understorey in the early stages of tree regrowth, though gradually disappearing as the canopy becomes denser[].

Other Uses

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

The wood is hard and is used for making tools and awl handles[].
The wood burns with a bright light and so was used at dances and ceremonials by the native North American Indians[].

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[].
Layering in spring[].