Common Name:

General Information

Arctostaphylos viscida is an erect, evergreen shrub with spreading branches, growing 1 - 3 metres tall. The laterally spreading, shallow roots usually penetrate less than 20cm below ground[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southwest N. America - southern Oregon, California

Habitat

Chaparral, open forests; at elevations from sea level to 1,400 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Arctostaphylos viscida occurs in a Mediterranean climate, with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers[].
Prefers a dry, sunny slope, growing in the wild in shallow, rocky, sandy soils[]. Some populations have adapted to serpentine soils[].
The plant hybridizes in the wild with hoary manzanita (Arctostaphylos canescens) and greenleaf manzanita (Arctostaphylos patula)[].
The plant has various morphological adaptations which encourage fire. During drought, it undergoes branch die-back, which contributes to fuel loading. Continuous shedding of the bark adds additional fuel. The surface-to-volume ratio of leaves and twigs are perfectly shaped for maximum air circulation, resulting in more complete burning of the plant and adding to fire intensity. Additionally, leaves and twigs contain flammable oils and terpenes. The heat value of the leaves and twigs is said to be 4,973 cal/kg[]. The plant itself dies during the fire, but the intense heat and residual fire ash stimulate the seeds into germination and thus brings about recolonization[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. They can be used to make jelly[]. They have also been used to make cider[]. The globose fruits are 6 - 8mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant may allelopathically inhibit the growth of conifer seedlings. Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) production can be increased, however, if it is planted in land that has recently been cleared of this species.. Some of the fungi (Azospirillum spp.) which form ectomycorrhizal associations with the Arctostaphylos will infect the Douglas-fir roots once the Arctostaphylos hosts are removed. Douglas-fir seedling survival rates have increased by 50% when planted in the cleared brushfields, as opposed to other types of chaparral brushfields[].

Other Uses

None known

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[, ].
Layering in spring[].