Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Arctostaphylos
Species: A. uva-ursi
Binomial name
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
(L.) Spreng.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi - flowers
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi subsp. uva-ursi - fruit

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, with names for this species including Kinnikinnick and Pinemat manzanita, one of several related species referred to as Bearberry. It is a species of Arctostaphylos - manzanita.

Contents

Distribution

The Arctostaphylos uva-ursi distribution is circumpolar, widespread in northern latitudes, confined to high altitudes further south:

In some areas the plant is endangered or has been extirpated from its native range. In other areas it is abundant. They are a common plant in Jack pine areas.

Description

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is a small procumbent woody groundcover shrub 5-30 cm high. The leaves are evergreen, remaining green for 1–3 years before falling. The fruit is a red berry.

The leaves are shiny, small, and feel thick and stiff. They are alternately arranged on the stems. Undersides of leaves are lighter green than on the tops. New stems can be red if the plant is in full sun, but are green in shadier areas. Older growth stems are brown. In spring, they have white or pink flowers.

Subspecies

There are four subspecies:

  • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi subsp. uva-ursi. Common Bearberry; circumpolar arctic and subarctic, and in mountains further south.
  • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi subsp. adenotricha. Central high Sierra Nevada.
  • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi subsp. coactilis. North coastal California, central coast California, San Francisco Bay Area.
  • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi subsp. cratericola (J. D. Smith) P. V. Wells. Guatemala Bearberry, endemic to Guatemala at very high altitudes (3000-4000 m).

Uses

Medicinal

Bearberry has historically been used for medicinal purposes. It contains the glycoside arbutin, which has antimicrobial properties and acts as a mild diuretic.[citation needed] It has been used for urinary tract complaints, including cystitis and urolithiasis.[citation needed] An infusion may be made by soaking the leaves in ethanol and then diluting with water.

Cultivation

There are several cultivars that are propagated for use as ornamental plants. It is an attractive evergreen plant in gardens, and it is also useful for controlling erosion.

External links

References

Casebeer, M. (2004). Discover California Shrubs. Sonora, California: Hooker Press. ISBN 0-9665463-1-8


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi —   Gayuba …   Wikipedia Español

  • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi — Raisin d ours Raisin d ours …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi — Raisin d ours commun, Raisin d ours, Busserole Raisin d ours …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi — Echte Bärentraube Echte Bärentraube (Arctostaphylos uva ursi), mit Früchten Systematik Unterklasse: Asternähnlic …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi — miltinė meškauogė statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Erikinių šeimos medingas, dekoratyvinis, vaistinis augalas (Arctostaphylos uva ursi), paplitęs Europoje, Azijoje ir Šiaurės Amerikoje. atitikmenys: lot. Arctostaphylos uva ursi angl.… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi — Bearberry Bear ber*ry, n. (Bot.) A trailing plant of the heath family ({Arctostaphylos uva ursi}), having leaves which are tonic and astringent, and glossy red berries of which bears are said to be fond. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi — ID 5680 Symbol Key ARUV Common Name kinnikinnick Family Ericaceae Category Dicot Division Magnoliophyta US Nativity Native to U.S. US/NA Plant Yes State Distribution AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IL, IN, MA, ME, MI, MN, MT, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV,… …   USDA Plant Characteristics

  • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi — …   Википедия

  • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi — noun evergreen mat forming shrub of North America and northern Eurasia having small white flowers and red berries; leaves turn red in autumn • Syn: ↑common bearberry, ↑red bearberry, ↑wild cranberry, ↑mealberry, ↑hog cranberry, ↑sand berry,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • uva ursi — The dried leaves of Arctostaphylos uva ursi (family Ericaceae), bearberry, mountain box, a common plant of the north temperate zone; contains antiseptic glycosides, arbutin, methylarbutin, and tannins; has been used in chronic inflammations of… …   Medical dictionary

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