The Arbutus (also known as “Pacific madrone”) is a distinct evergreen deciduous species on Canada’s west coast distributed from Mexico to the Central Coast and associated islands in BC. Typically the ecological community that forms around this species is found less than 10 kilometres from coastlines.
Arbutus communities typically occur on dry open marine variant or sloping sites with shallow well-drained exposed rock and rocky soils. Some communities can have deep soil profiles but drainage is key. Other species associated with arbutus communities include Garry oak, Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, oceanspray, hairy manzanita (a type of low growing evergreen berry producing plant), salal and dull Oregon-grape. Arbutus communities like Coastal Douglas-fir have been impacted by a number of factors, including stress from environmental conditions (drought, soil disturbance and pollution), fragmentation and clearing as well as pathogens.
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Arbutus Berries
On the South Coast, Arbutus communities can be found on coastal bluffs of Metro Vancouver’s North Shore, Howe Sound and northwest along the Sunshine Coast and Powell River. Three red-listed ecological communities that include Arbutus are:
- Arbutus / hairy manzanita
- Douglas-fir – arbutus
- Garry oak – arbutus.
Resources
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Douglas-fir / Arbutus Plant Community Profile
SCCP's 2010 ecological plant community profile of Douglas-fir / Arbutus