Madrone
Arbutus menziesii
The Arbutus Menziesii
The Pacific Madrone is the one of two in north America and one of 14 species in the world. It is well-known by its smooth trunk, red berries, white flowers, and its deciduous (shedding of leaves annually) orange-red bark. The Madrone ranges up to 16-130 feet in height and 2-3 feet in diameter. Single or multiple curved trunks support a broad, spreading crown composed of heavy, irregularly-shaped limbs. The pacific madrone is a angiosperm and dicot.
Facts, Geography, and the need of water
When mature naturally peels away in thin sheets, leaving a greenish, silvery appearance that has a satin sheen and smoothness. They are located in British Columbia, California, Oregon and Washington. It has a high needs of water and is windfirm, drought enduring, and somewhat tolerant of wet, freezing conditions.
The location
Located at the edges of the west coast: California, Oregon, West Coast.
A true Fact
Native Americans ate the berries, because the berries have a high astringent. They more often chewed them or made them into a cider. They also used the berries to make necklaces and other decorations, and as bait for fishing
Shapes
The Arbutus comes in all shapes and sizes. This one looks like a person running.
Pollination and life cycle
The pacific madrone regenerates sexually and asexually however, it primarily reproduces vegetatively by sprouting, not by seed. Pacific madrone sprouts from the burl after damage by cutting, fire, or disease. It is unknown to how burl is developed in the seedlings. The madrone is pollinated by honeybees. Hummingbirds has been discern feeding on the blossoms of the pacific madrone and pollinating the flowers as well.
Ethnobotany
The Madrone is used for all kinds of things. It is used as food, medicine, drugs, equipment, tools, tea, and also used for hunting and fishing. The picture below is the bark of the Madrone used as tea.