Arctostaphylos andersonii
Anderson's manzanita, Anderson's Manzanita, Anderson's manzanita, Anderson's manzanita
(c) Dean Wm. Taylor, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Arctostaphylos andersonii (Anderson's manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by tree habit, large clasping leaves, and sticky glandular fruits.
Anderson's manzanita is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native tree found in the western Santa Cruz Mountains in open sites or forest edges of redwood and mixed-evergreen forest at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from January to March, this plant produces light green to white flowers in pendulous panicles with lanceolate bracts. Growing 2 to 5 meters tall with tree-like habit, it develops dense tomentose twigs and branches that appear silvery-green. Its distinctive leaves are boat-shaped, 4 to 7 centimeters long, with entire margins and a clasping base that appears glabrous on both surfaces. The fruit is a sticky, slightly depressed spherical structure 6 to 8 millimeters wide with glandular-hairy surfaces.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 19 sympatric species; distinguished by tree habit, large clasping leaves, and sticky glandular fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open sites or forest edge, redwood or mixed-evergreen forest, occasionally in chaparral near coast
Elevation: < 800 m
California counties: Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, San Francisco, Contra Costa, San Benito
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos andersonii blooms Jan-Mar.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Arbutus: Arctostaphylos fruits are smooth and mealy; Arbutus fruits are bumpy and juicy.; vs Rhus: Arctostaphylos has simple evergreen leaves; Rhus has compound deciduous leaves.; vs Quercus: Arctostaphylos has urn-shaped flowers and berry-like fruits; Quercus has catkins and acorns.; vs Xylococcus: Arctostaphylos leaves are flat; Xylococcus leaves have margins rolled tightly under.; vs Heteromeles: Arctostaphylos has urn-shaped flowers; Heteromeles has flat white flower clusters.
Frequently asked questions
Is Arctostaphylos andersonii native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos andersonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos andersonii bloom?
Arctostaphylos andersonii blooms Jan-Mar.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos andersonii grow?
Arctostaphylos andersonii occurs in Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, San Francisco, Contra Costa, San Benito, at elevations of < 800 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos andersonii belong to?
Arctostaphylos andersonii is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Is Arctostaphylos andersonii rare or endangered?
Arctostaphylos andersonii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Arctostaphylos auriculata — Mount diablo manzanita
- Arctostaphylos bakeri — Baker's manzanita
- Arctostaphylos bakeri subsp. bakeri — Baker's manzanita
- Arctostaphylos bakeri subsp. sublaevis — The cedars manzanita
- Arctostaphylos canescens — Hoary manzanita
- Arctostaphylos canescens subsp. canescens — Hoary manzanita
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.