Why is the tree called Madrone in Southern Oregon and Mandrona in Washington?

Answer 1

The Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii), is a species of arbutus found on the west coast of North America, from British Columbia (chiefly Vancouver Island) to California, mainly in the Pacific Coast Ranges but also scattered on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It becomes rare south of Santa Barbara County, with isolated stands south to Palomar Mountain, San Diego County and northern Baja California, Mexico. It is also known as the madroño, madroña, bearberry, or strawberry tree. In British Columbia it is simply referred to as arbutus. Its species name was given it in honour of the Scots naturalist Archibald Menzies who noted it during George Vancouver's voyage of exploration

Answer 2

Common Names are extremely variable and unreliable. Different garden authorities, periodicals, prevalent languages or cultures are some things that can affect the use of different common names in different locales. There is a Poinciana that is called Mexican Bird of Paradise in the Southwest US. And a Delonix that is called Royal Poinciana in Florida. In Africa that same Delonix is called Flamboyant and a plant that is called Tropical Bird of Paradise (different from Mexican Bird of Paradise) in the Southwest is called Crane Flower in its native South Africa. You can't make sense of common names. That is why there are scientific (Latin) names. But alas, the taxonomists have nothing better to do than to keep changing the scientific names around, on a regular basis, too.

Answer 3

Its just a different common name. Madrona is the original Spanish name of the tree from way back, Mission days.