Mount Diablo manzanita facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Diablo Manzanita |
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A. auriculata
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| Arctostaphylos auriculata |
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The Mount Diablo Manzanita (scientific name: Arctostaphylos auriculata) is a very special type of plant. It is an endangered species, meaning it is at risk of disappearing forever. This unique shrub grows only in California, specifically around Mount Diablo in Contra Costa County. It is a type of manzanita, known for its beautiful red bark and bell-shaped flowers.
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What Does It Look Like?
The Mount Diablo Manzanita is a woody shrub that can grow quite tall. It reaches heights of about 1 to 4.5 meters (3 to 15 feet). Its stems are twisty and do not have glands, but they are covered in soft white hairs.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this manzanita are short, usually 1.5 to 4.5 centimeters (about 0.6 to 1.8 inches) long. They have a silvery color and overlap each other. The base of each leaf is deeply lobed, which means it has rounded sections.
This plant produces many white flowers. They bloom densely from February through May, making the shrub look very pretty. After the flowers, small fruits grow. These fruits are also hairy and measure about 5 to 10 millimeters (0.2 to 0.4 inches) in size.
How It Grows Back
Unlike some other manzanita plants, the Mount Diablo Manzanita does not have a special underground part called a basal burl. A basal burl helps some plants regrow after a fire or damage. Because it lacks this, the Mount Diablo Manzanita must grow new plants only from its seeds.
Where Does It Live?
The Mount Diablo Manzanita grows in a specific type of environment called chaparral. This is a kind of shrubland found in California. It prefers areas with sandstone soil. You can find it at elevations between 150 and 650 meters (about 490 to 2,130 feet) high.
Plant Neighbors
In its natural habitat, the Mount Diablo Manzanita often grows alongside other plants. These can include poison oak or California wild grapes. The manzanita forms a thick undergrowth, creating a dense plant community.
