Common Name: Parry Manzanita

General Information

Arctostaphylos parryana is a variable, evergreen shrub that can be prostrate, erect, or mound-forming - it can grow 50 - 200cm tall[].
The plant is harvested fom the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

South-western N. America - California.

Habitat

Dry stony slopes, montane chaparral, desert edges and forest openings; at elevations from 1,300 - 2,400 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.80 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	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 grown in the shade[]. Prefers a position in full sun[].
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 desertica and tumescens have burls from which they resprout after a fire[].

Edible Uses

The ground berry pulp is used as a food[]. The globose fruit is 7 - 10mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

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[].