Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crinita
Crinite manzanita, Crinite Manzanita
Photo: parent species Arctostaphylos crustacea · (c) Stan Shebs, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crinita (Crinite manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by densely long-hairy leaf undersides.
Crinite manzanita is a California native shrub found in the central coastal region including Fort Ord and Mount Toro, and the southwestern San Francisco Bay area in the Santa Cruz Mountains, inhabiting chaparral and conifer forest at elevations below 700 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces small white to pink flowers in clusters with dense, stiff hairs. Growing as a shrub with distinctive hairy twigs and stems that feature both short and long stiff hairs, it forms a characteristically textured appearance. Its leaves are densely covered in non-glandular hairs on the undersides, occasionally with some hairiness on the upper surfaces, giving the foliage a soft and fuzzy texture. The ovary is also short and non-glandular hairy, contributing to the plant's overall densely pubescent appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 32 sympatric species; distinguished by densely long-hairy leaf undersides
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, conifer forest
Elevation: < 700 m
California counties: Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Barbara
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crinita blooms Feb-Apr.
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 crustacea subsp. crinita native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crinita is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crinita bloom?
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crinita blooms Feb-Apr.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crinita grow?
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crinita occurs in Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, at elevations of < 700 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crinita belong to?
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crinita is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
What habitat does Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crinita grow in?
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crinita grows in Chaparral, conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crustacea
- Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. eastwoodiana — Eastwood's brittle-leaf manzanita
- Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. insulicola — Island manzanita
- Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. rosei — Rose's manzanita
- Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. subcordata — Santa cruz island manzanita
- Arctostaphylos cruzensis — Arroyo de la cruz manzanita
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.