Arbutus arizonica
Arizona Madrone
Oʼodham[unknown]
Description
Arbutus arizonica is a small tree with light gray shaggy bark and reddish stems. The petioles, primary leaf vein, and leaf margins also are red. At first glance it might be mistaken for an oak or Manzanita (Arctostaphylos pungens) as it is often found growing among them. But Arizona Madrone grows more vertically, into sizeable tree whereas Manzanita remains a large, dense shrub. This species grows in gravelly soils above 5000 feet.
