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Arctostaphylos pungens - Kunth.

Common Name

Pointleaf Manzanita

Family

Ericaceae

Synonyms

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Gravelly soils in sunny places in the Chaparral[181].

Range

Southern N. America - Mexico.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics
An evergreen Shrub. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil.The plant prefers acid soils. and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.It requires dry or moist soil.


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs

Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit. Fruit - raw or cooked[257]. An agreeable acid flavour but the fruit is dry and mealy[95]. Hard to digest, the fruit should be eaten in moderation[95]. It can be dried and ground into a powder and then used as mush or as a flavouring in soups etc[257]. A cooling drink can be made from the fruit[161, 257].

Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. Astringent; Skin. An infusion of the leaves is used in the treatment of diarrhoea[257]. An infusion is also used in the treatment of the rash caused by poison oak, Toxicodendron diversiloba[257].

Other Uses
Dye; Fuel; Wood. A yellowish-brown dye is obtained from the leaves, it does not require a mordant[168]. The wood makes a good fuel, producing a long-lasting hot fire[257]. The hard wood has been used for making small tools, awl handles etc[257].

Cultivation details
Requires a deep moist well-drained light or medium lime-free loam in sun or semi-shade[3, 11, 166, 200], but plants produce less fruit when they are grown in the shade[200]. This species is closely related to A. manzanita[11]. Plants resent root disturbance and should be placed in their final positions as soon as possible[11, 134].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe. Pre-soak dried seed in boiling water for 10 - 20 seconds or burn some straw on top of them and then stratify at 2 - 5°c for 2 months[11, 200]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 months at 15°c[134]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame or greenhouse 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, August to December in a frame. The cuttings are very slow and can take a year to root[1, 78]. 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[200].

Expert comment

Author
Kunth.

Botanical References
11

Links / References

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[3]Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit.

A very readable book with information on about 100 species that can be grown in Britain (some in greenhouses) and details on how to grow and use them.

[11]Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.

A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[78]Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.

A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.

[95]Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada.

Useful wild plants of America. A pocket guide.

[134]Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2.

Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. An interesting article on Ensete ventricosum.

[161]Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237.

A comprehensive but very terse guide. Not for the casual reader.

[166]Taylor. J. The Milder Garden.

A good book on plants that you didn't know could be grown outdoors in Britain.

[168]Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants.

A very good and readable book on dyeing.

[181]Pesman. M. W. Meet Flora Mexicana.

Very readable flora but rather lacking botanically. A few notes on useful plants.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[257]Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany

Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
Jose Waizel-Bucay	Thu Jan 1 2009

Synonim: Arctostaphylos manzanita Parry. Common names: Pinguica (Spanish),

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