About Adenostoma sparsifolium Torr.
One of the most distinctive traits of the tree Adenostoma sparsifolium is its shaggy, peeling bark that forms loose strips, a feature that inspired its common names. This species produces multiple stems growing from a single root system; these stems do not grow foliage until they reach a certain height above the ground. As reflected in its species epithet "sparsifolium", Adenostoma sparsifolium bears small, pale green, filamentous leaves. Mature plants typically grow between 3 and 15 feet tall, though some individual trees can reach up to 20 feet in height. Redshanks, the common name for this species, is closely related to the more numerous chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum).
In ecological terms, redshanks grows at higher elevations of chaparral habitat, located just above and below the snowline in the Peninsular Ranges. It thrives best on north-facing ubac slopes at approximately 4,000 feet of elevation. At the lower end of its elevation range, its associated plant species include California Scrub Oak and Hoary Ceanothus; at the upper end of its range, it grows mixed in with manzanitas. Just like its close relative chamise, redshanks is able to resprout from its root system after a fire.
