Arctostaphylos rudis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arctostaphylos rudis |
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A. rudis
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| Arctostaphylos rudis Jeps. & Wies. ex Jeps.
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Arctostaphylos rudis, also known as Shagbark manzanita or Sand mesa manzanita, is a special type of manzanita plant.
About the Shagbark Manzanita
The Shagbark manzanita is a shrub that stands tall, usually between one and two meters (about 3 to 6 feet) high. It grows from a special woody lump called a burl at its base.
Its main stem and branches have bark that peels off in gray and reddish strips, like a "shag" rug! The smaller branches feel soft because they are covered in tiny, woolly hairs.
The leaves of this plant are oval. They feel smooth and have very few hairs. They are a shiny green color and and are usually about 1 to 3 centimeters long.
Flowers and Fruits
This manzanita blooms in late fall and winter. Its flowers are shaped like small urns.
After the flowers, the plant grows red fruits. These fruits are called drupes. They are smooth, without hairs, and are about a centimeter wide or a little bigger.
Where It Grows
The Arctostaphylos rudis plant is found only in California. This means it is endemic to California. You can find it mainly along the southern part of the Central Coast.
It is most common in an area called Burton Mesa. This is in the hills north of a town called Lompoc. There are also a few places where it still grows near Nipomo.
This plant likes to grow in sandy soils. It is often found in areas with chaparral and coastal sage scrub plants. These are types of natural plant communities that are common in California.
