Arbutus arizonica

Common Name: Arizona Madrone
O’odham Name: [unknown]
Group: Shrubs, Trees - Chaparral (upper), Madrean Woodland


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.
Classification
Kingdom Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass Dilleniidae
Order Ericales
Family Ericaceae – Heath family
Genus Arbutus L. – madrone
Species Arbutus arizonica (A. Gray) Sarg. – Arizona madrone
More Information
Arizona Distribution Map  (USDA)
Arbutus arizonica   Arbutus arizonica branches   Arbutus arizonica leaf   Arbutus arizonica fruits   Arbutus arizonica bark