The low, spreading growth and bright green, petioled (stalked) leaves easily distinguish this manzanita.

The thick stems of this shrub are the typical red color of most manzanita.

The typical light green lichen was so plentiful inside this shrub that the bark appeared lost in an ethereal light.

The thick canopy for this shrub provided a significant patch of shade.

Here you can see the "leafy stems" that distinguish this manzanita.

Traditional uses of the plant included collecting the berries, drying them, and grinding them up into a coarse meal. Fresh berries and branch tips were also soaked in water to make a refreshing cider.

The berries also attract birds whose dropping include seeds of other plants. In this way, the roots of the manzanita prepare the soil until one of those other plants can germinate. Thereafter, a plant such as huckleberry will grow to overrun the manzanita and eventually kill and replace it.

This manzanita grows to be a large dome-like shrub about 6 feet (2 meters) tall, and up to about 12 feet (4 meters) across.

The contorted branches of the manzanita often find use in decorating interiors of houses and building, and to aid in the sale of merchandise. This use is fading as the endangered state of many manzanita is recognized.