About Arctostaphylos columbiana Piper
Arctostaphylos columbiana Piper is a species of manzanita, commonly known by the common name hairy manzanita. It is native to the coast of western North America, ranging from northern California to southwestern British Columbia. This is a large manzanita that grows as a shrub or small tree, typically reaching 1 to 5 meters in height. It has an erect growth form and hairy branches. Its leaves are oval-shaped, usually 2 to 6 centimeters long and 2 to 3 centimeters wide, with a pale bluish green color. The leaves are fuzzy on both surfaces, and are occasionally glandular. Small, white, urn-shaped flowers grow in clustered bunched inflorescences. The fruit is a red drupe, measuring approximately one centimeter in diameter. For germination to occur, the seeds require exposure to fire or consumption by animals. Hairy manzanita grows in open, rocky habitats, and it is sometimes cultivated as a garden ornamental plant. Hybrids between this species and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, named Arctostaphylos x media, commonly occur where the two parent species grow near each other.
