Manzanita is a plant native to the Western half of North America extending from Canada all the way to northern Mexico. There are 106 species of the plant with the majority growing in California. It is an evergreen plant with a distinctive smooth, red bark. Some species grow into trees, but those in Arizona are usually in the shrub category. I found this one in the mountains just north of Phoenix.
What an interesting shrub/tree! Have never seen it before. What marvelous things we learn on this blog site!
ReplyDeleteLooks like the sort of shrub that might have grown around sleeping beauty's castle during her long nap...do these blossom?
ReplyDeleteI have always loved manzanita. It's especially beautiful when it snows...something about the red bark and the white snow.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that Kate has seen it before, as she goes to Santa Fe She probably doesn't realize that when looking out from a distance at the high desert hills, much of the greenery will be manzanita.
ReplyDeleteI love Manzanita. That smooth red bark is so entrancing that I can't help but touch it.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful. I think this looks like the Red Manzanita.
ReplyDeleteThe red is fantastic!
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