Arciostaphylos

The Manzanita, a member of the Heather family, is found as 50 different species. 36 of which are native to the U.S. and 4 of the most common grow in Arizona.  "Arciostaphylos" ,the pointed-leaf species is used to make this art piece.  It has low, spreading growth habits with smooth red bark and crooked, twisted limbs.  During drought periods, the leaves twist on their stalks to a vertical position to minimize exposure to the sun and reduce evaporation.  The genus name, Arciostaphylos, means bear-berry and the Spanish name, Manzanita, is intercepted as "little apple".  Indians used leaves and berries as food and for making a beverage that has several medical qualities.

Technical Information

Size:                             16"h. , 13" dia.

Weight:                         9 lb.

Material:                       Limb segments were adhered to a fiberglass shell. 

                                    larger limb segments ring the opening at the top of

                                    the vessel.  Resin with a dark filler was used to                                                                             grout between the wood segments.

Source:                        Pruning from a friend in Oracle, Arizona.

Finish:                         Finished surface of wood was treated with Danish                                                                       Oil and a paste wax finish was applied to all surfaces.

This art piece was given to the good friends in Oracle that provided a pickup load of Manzanita wood from pruning off their land.

*More detail can be found on my art at my website <www.apatchablue.com>