ORANGE COUNTY ZOO
Photo courtesy of
Irvine Park Railroad
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The Orange County Zoo is
owned and operated by the
County
of Orange, California.
Web page produced by the
Orange County Zoological Society,
Copyright 2005.
Common Manzanita
Arctostaphylos manzanita
This large evergreen shrub, which can grow to 20 feet, is recognized by its smooth and
dark reddish bark. The pale pink flowers bloom in late winter and early spring. Manzanita is found on dry slopes, in mountain canyons, chaparral, foothill, and
oak woodlands. The berries are eaten by wildlife. The dense foliage provides
shelter for birds and small mammals. Deer browse the leaves and twigs. It
is found in inland northern California south through the Sierras on dry slopes,
mountain canyons, chaparral, foothills, and oak and pine woodlands.
Native American Usage
The berries were eaten fresh or dried and stored for winter use. The dry seeds
were made into flour for mush or thin cakes. The leaves were used for poison-oak
inflammation and made into a soap. The wood was used in making spoons and for
fuel.