well, hello there.

I have been in the backcountry for the past few days, and now that I am back in civilization, I am reasearching all the fantastic shrubs, flowers, and trees I saw out there! My goal is to be able to recognize for of California's native plants by the end of the summer.

So...I thought I would share a little tidbit with you.

Manzanita shrubs or trees are known by their reddish, smooth bark and stiff, twisting branches. I think the leaves are beautiful and If you find a branch and keep it as a treasure, the leaves change colors and it is a nice little house ornament to have a bundle of dried Manzanita branches because of the varying color of leaves. BUT...here's what I just learned today that I think is great: "Traditional uses of the plant include collecting the berries, drying them, and grinding them up into a coarse meal. Fresh berries and branch tips were also soaked in water and drunk, making a refreshing cider. When the bark curls off, it can be used as a tea for nausea and upset stomach. The younger leaves are sometimes plucked and chewed by hikers to deter thirst. Native Americans used Manzanita leaves as toothbrushes."

so there you go.