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Description: |
This Manzanita is
presumed extinct in the wild and has to keep
alive by nurseries and botanical gardens
"The Franciscan manzanita was historically known
to exist in three populations in San Francisco,
two in cemeteries and one at Mt. Davidson.
Unfortunately for the this plant, it was found
on lands that were highly valued for commercial
and residential property in the rapidly
expanding city of San Francisco. As a result,
these three sites had been developed even by
1978, despite efforts by one woman in
particular, Lester Roundtree, who lobbied
intensely for one of the cemeteries to be
maintained as a park in order to preserve this
beautiful plant and its unique habitat. In a
strange twist of fate, this plant now exists
only in botanic gardens and home gardens. Those
individuals who lobbied for the plants
protection began propagating the species in the
1940's, an initiative that was spearheaded by
Louis L. Edmunds of Danville. Mr. Edmunds was
successful in his propagation efforts, producing
plants that formed visually interesting mats
three to four feet broad and six to eight inches
high that were capable of surviving the dry
California summer with absolutely no water."
(Schmidt 1978) |
