Arctostaphylos bakeri subsp. bakeri
Baker's manzanita, Baker's Manzanita, Baker's manzanita
(c) 2012 John Game, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Arctostaphylos bakeri subsp. bakeri (Baker's manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by papillate scabrous leaves and serpentine habitat.
Baker's manzanita is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in southern North Coast Ranges (south of Guerneville in central Sonoma County) in serpentine chaparral near the coast at elevations of 75 to 300 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces pale pink to white urn-shaped flowers in small clusters. Growing with distinctive reddish bark and glandular-hairy twigs 30 to 100 centimeters tall, it forms a compact, rounded shrub. Its leaves have short petioles 3 to 6 millimeters long, with blades that are glandular-hairy and slightly rough to the touch, creating a scabrous texture. The plant's distinctive glandular hairs and serpentine habitat make it a unique component of coastal chaparral ecosystems.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 20 sympatric species; distinguished by papillate scabrous leaves and serpentine habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine chaparral near coast
Elevation: 75-300 m
California counties: Sonoma, San Mateo, Humboldt
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos bakeri subsp. bakeri blooms Feb-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 bakeri subsp. bakeri native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos bakeri subsp. bakeri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos bakeri subsp. bakeri bloom?
Arctostaphylos bakeri subsp. bakeri blooms Feb-Apr.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos bakeri subsp. bakeri grow?
Arctostaphylos bakeri subsp. bakeri occurs in Sonoma, San Mateo, Humboldt, at elevations of 75-300 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos bakeri subsp. bakeri belong to?
Arctostaphylos bakeri subsp. bakeri is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Is Arctostaphylos bakeri subsp. bakeri rare or endangered?
Arctostaphylos bakeri subsp. bakeri carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Arctostaphylos bakeri subsp. sublaevis — The cedars manzanita
- Arctostaphylos canescens — Hoary manzanita
- Arctostaphylos canescens subsp. canescens — Hoary manzanita
- Arctostaphylos canescens subsp. sonomensis — Sonoma canescent manzanita
- Arctostaphylos catalinae — Santa catalina island manzanita
- Arctostaphylos columbiana — Columbia 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.