Arbutus occidentalis

Arbutus occidentalis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Arbutus
Species: A. occidentalis
Binomial name
Arbutus occidentalis
McVaugh & Rosatti 1978

Arbutus occidentalis is a shrub species in the heath family, that is endemic to Mexico.

Distribution

The plant is found in montane Mexico from Chihuahua to Oaxaca.[1][2][3] It is found in pine forests, spreading on cliff summits and steep rocky slopes. [4]

Description

Arbutus occidentalis is a low growing shrub, growing 0.25–1 metre (0.82–3.28 ft) in height. [4][1] In places it forms colonies more than 6 feet (1.8 m) ) wide. [4]

The branches are covered with thin red bark.[4] Leaves are 3–6 centimetres (1.2–2.4 in) long, by 1–2 centimetres (0.39–0.79 in) wide. They have teeth along the edges. [1]

The red fruits are about 0.5 inches (13 mm) across and fleshy. [4][1]

Variations

Two regional variations of Arbutus occidentalis were formerly distinguished as varieties

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 McVaugh, Rogers & Rosatti, Thomas James. 1978. A new species of Arbutus (Ericaceae) from western Mexico. Contributions from the University of Michigan Herbarium 11(5): 301–304 includes line drawings of Arbutus occidentalis and Arbutus xalapensis on page 303
  2. Sørensen, P. D. 1995. Arbutus Linnaeus. Flora Neotropica, Monograph 66: 194–221.
  3. García-Mendoza, A. J. & J. A. Meave. 2011. Diversidad Florística de Oaxaca: de Musgos a Angispermas 1–351. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Pacific Horticulture magazine: "The Madrones", Spring 1983 issue.
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