Cushing Manzanita

Cushing manzanita is a sprawling evergreen shrub up to 8 ft tall and 6 ft wide, with fuzzy stems. A California endemic species, native to the central and northern coastal ranges. Found growing in rocky outcrops, slopes, and ridges.

Sometimes called ‘Mouse Mound’ manzanita for its low, mounding form. A great option for a sunny coastal garden, Cushing manzanita provides dense foliage to protect wildlife, and winter blooms that support hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Edible “little apples” are a traditional food for Pomo and Cahuilla Native Americans, who grind dried fruits to make pinole, cakes, or mush. Manzanitas are fire adapted, and can sprout back after wildfire.

Lifeform: Perennial, Shrub

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade

Water: Dry, Light

Soil: Clay, Loam, Rocky, Sand

Other: Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Moths, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Erosion Control

Container	D-40
Ecological Value	California endemic, early blooms support hummingbirds and bees, fruit supports various animals.
Ethnobotanical Uses	Pomo and Cahuilla Native Americans dried and ground the fruits for storage and pinole, cakes, or mush. Wood used for making tools, bark decoction used to treat diarrhea.
Distribution	Central and northern California, northern Baja California.
Elevation	0-7200'
Communities	Chaparral, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Yellow Pine Forest
Habitat	Dry, sandy, rocky slopes and ridges