# Pacific madrone (*Arbutus menziesii*) The Pacific madrone is a beautiful tree with smooth, reddish bark and shiny green leaves. It grows in coastal areas and can be found in forests, making it a special part of nature. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Pacific madrone](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Arbutus_menziesii_5822.JPG&width=800) Photo: Walter Siegmund (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arbutus_menziesii_5822.JPG) ## Appearance The Pacific madrone has striking cinnamon-red bark that peels in thin strips, revealing a smooth, greenish underlayer. It boasts leathery, dark green evergreen leaves and clusters of small, white, bell-shaped flowers that later turn into bright orange-red berries. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Ericales - **Family:** Ericaceae - **Genus:** Arbutus ## Interesting facts - Its bark peels away like paper, revealing a smooth, cool new reddish skin! - Its wood is so incredibly dense and heavy, it actually sinks in water! - Madrone trees can live for over 200 years, becoming ancient giants in the forest! - The beautiful red berries are a favorite snack for many hungry birds and even bears! ## Special abilities - **Renewing Skin:** Pacific madrone can shed its old bark to reveal smooth, photosynthetic new bark, helping it grow and shed pests. - **Drought Fighter:** Pacific madrone has super deep roots that help it reach water deep underground, allowing it to survive dry spells. - **Year-Round Green:** Pacific madrone has tough evergreen leaves that stay green all year, letting it make food even in winter. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 1000-2500 cm - **Spread:** 300-1000 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.5-0.7 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring to early summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Feeds on sweet red berries. - **Eaten by:** American Black Bear (*Ursus americanus*) — Enjoys eating the madrone berries. - **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar from white flowers. - **Eaten by:** [Western Bluebird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-bluebird) (*Sialia mexicana*) — Consumes madrone berries in winter. ## Traits - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once. - [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't touch the bark; it can be delicate. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Pacific madrone? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Pacific madrone? 1000-2500 cm ### How wide does Pacific madrone spread? 300-1000 cm ### How big are the flowers on Pacific madrone? 0.5-0.7 cm ### When does Pacific madrone bloom? Spring to early summer ### Is Pacific madrone edible? No ### Is Pacific madrone toxic? Mild ### What is Pacific madrone's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [E. E. Wilson Wildlife Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/e-e-wilson-wildlife-area) — Oregon, US · Nature Reserve - [Sonoma Plaza](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sonoma-plaza) — California, US · Park - [East Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-park) — Washington, US · Park - [Illahee State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/illahee-state-park) — Washington, US · State Park - [Bush's Pasture Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bushs-pasture-park) — Oregon, US · Botanical Garden - [El Sereno Open Space](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/el-sereno-open-space) — California, US · Park [View all places to see Pacific madrone](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/pacific-madrone) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Pacific madrone: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pacific-madrone)