Arbutus occidentalis

Arbutus occidentalis or the Mexican Madrone is a small tree species in the heath family, that is endemic to Mexico. It is only known from a few areas in Western Mexico where it grows on Rocky slopes. It produces red edible berries that are valuable food to wildlife.

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

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

References
  1. 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. Pacific Horticulture magazine: "The Madrones", Spring 1983 issue.


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