Manzanita Blossoms

[best appreciated at full size against black]

A few weeks ago I posted a picture of Manzanita buds, the 14th Flower of Spring. Here is a grouping of the flowers in full blossom! Aren't they pretty?! :)

Manzanita is a flowering shrub which can grow into a tree if given time--it is an extremely slow-growing plant. It can grow in extremely dry terrain, however, and has beautiful, smooth, orange bark to go along with its lovely dusty green oval leaves. There are over 100 species, most of which are endemic to California and neighboring states. The berries and flowers of most species are edible, and are a popular food for birds and squirrels, as well as butterflies, bees, and other insects. The berries were traditionally ground into a meal, and also made into cider! The young leaves can be chewed to quench thirst, and Native Indians used leaves as toothbrushes!

If you would like to know more about Manzanitas, Wiki has a great page here: Wiki: Manzanita

This image was taken in April, 2012.