Mount Diablo Manzanita
ExplorarPlantas
Mount Diablo Manzanita
arctostaphylos auriculata
The Mount Diablo Manzanita (Arctostaphylos auriculata) is a rare and striking evergreen shrub endemic to the sandstone slopes of Mount Diablo in Contra Costa County, California. Known for its gorgeous, silvery foliage and smooth, mahogany-colored bark, this chaparral specialist is a true botanical treasure of the San Francisco Bay Area. Its unique ear-like leaf bases, which clasp the stems, set it apart from other manzanita species. As an obligate seeder, this resilient plant relies on the natural cycle of wildfire to crack open its hard seeds and initiate new growth. It plays a vital role in its localized ecosystem, providing crucial nectar for native bees and hummingbirds in late winter when few other plants are in bloom.
Hábitat: Found primarily on dry sandstone ridges and chaparral slopes in the microclimate of the Mount Diablo region.
Aspecto
This erect shrub typically grows between 100 to 450 centimeters tall, featuring heavily branched structures covered in fine, white-velvety hairs when young, which mature into smooth, dark reddish-brown bark. The most distinguishing feature is its leaves: they are pale gray-green, ovate, densely hairy on both sides, and uniquely overlap or clasp the stem with ear-like lobes at the base. Clusters of small, urn-shaped flowers in shades of white to pale pink bloom in winter, followed by round, sticky, hairy dark red berries.
ReinoPlantaeFiloTracheophytaClaseMagnoliopsidaOrdenEricalesFamiliaEricaceaeGéneroArctostaphylos
Categoría
PlantasRareza
Common
Peligro
1/5 · Muy bajo
Snaps
¡Sé la primera persona en hacer un snap!
Datos interesantes
Because it lacks a basal burl, this manzanita cannot resprout from its roots after a fire; instead, its entire population regenerates purely from seed.
It is highly localized, found almost exclusively on the sandstone soils of Mount Diablo and nowhere else in the world.
The scientific species name 'auriculata' translates to 'eared' in Latin, referring directly to the ear-shaped lobes at the base of its leaves.
Habilidades especiales
Habilidad
Fire-Triggered Germination
Its seeds have a tough coating that remains dormant in the soil for decades, germinating only after fire opens them.
Habilidad
Ear-Like Leaf Basal Lobes
The overlapping leaf bases clasp the stems tightly, which may help direct condensation down the branches toward the root system.
Habilidad
Woolly Moisture Defense
Dense, soft white hairs covering its leaves and young twigs act as a natural shield to reduce moisture loss.
Medidas y detalles
- Longitud
- 100-450 cm
- Esperanza de vida
- 20-100 años
Dieta y alimentación
As a photoautotrophic plant, it synthesizes its own food using sunlight, carbon dioxide, water, and soil nutrients through photosynthesis.
Alimentos principales
- Sunlight
- Carbon dioxide
- Water
- Soil minerals
Conexiones ecológicas
mutualism
Vosnesensky Bumble Bee
Bombus vosnesenskii
Feeds on the early winter nectar and serves as a key pollinator for the shrub.
mutualism
Anna's Hummingbird
Calypte anna
Feeds on the winter-blooming flowers' nectar and assists in pollination.
eaten by
Black-tailed Jackrabbit
Lepus californicus
Consumes the fallen berries and potentially aids in seed dispersal.
Rasgos
Aún no hay insignias de rasgos asignadas a este objeto.
También conocido como
Todavía no hay alias listados.
Colecciones
Las colecciones para este objeto aparecerán aquí a medida que se añadan más temas.
Seguridad
Peligro
1/5 · Muy bajo
Todavía no hay notas especiales de seguridad.
Preguntas frecuentes
¿Cómo identificar a Mount Diablo Manzanita?
La forma más fácil de identificar a Mount Diablo Manzanita es usar la aplicación de identificación de naturaleza Snappit.
¿Cuál es el longitud de Mount Diablo Manzanita?
100-450 cm
¿Cuál es el esperanza de vida de Mount Diablo Manzanita?
20-100 años
¿Qué come Mount Diablo Manzanita?
As a photoautotrophic plant, it synthesizes its own food using sunlight, carbon dioxide, water, and soil nutrients through photosynthesis.
¿Dónde se encuentra normalmente Mount Diablo Manzanita?
Found primarily on dry sandstone ridges and chaparral slopes in the microclimate of the Mount Diablo region.
Mapa de snaps
Acércate para separar los grupos y explorar dónde se ha fotografiado este objeto.
Cargando mapa…
Snaps recientes
Los snaps recientes aparecerán aquí a medida que se añadan nuevas observaciones.
