Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crustacea
Photo: parent species Arctostaphylos crustacea · (c) Stan Shebs, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crustacea is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by brittle leaves with light green undersides and prominent burl.
Arctostaphylos crustacea subspecies crustacea is a California native shrub found in northern coastal ranges, central western California, and northern Channel Islands in chaparral and conifer forest habitats at elevations below 1,100 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces white to pink urn-shaped flowers in small clusters with distinctive stiff hairs. Growing as a dense, spreading shrub 1 to 2 meters tall with woody branches covered in stiff non-glandular hairs, it has a distinctive appearance in its native habitat. Its leaves are oval to rounded, dark green above and slightly hairy underneath, becoming smoother with age. The shrub forms part of the characteristic chaparral landscape, with its rigid branching and unique hairiness distinguishing it from other manzanita subspecies.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 70 sympatric species; distinguished by brittle leaves with light green undersides and prominent burl
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, conifer forest
Elevation: < 1100 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, Del Norte, San Benito, Napa
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crustacea 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. crustacea native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crustacea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crustacea bloom?
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crustacea blooms Feb-Apr.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crustacea grow?
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crustacea occurs in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda and other counties, at elevations of < 1100 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crustacea belong to?
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crustacea is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
What habitat does Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crustacea grow in?
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crustacea grows in Chaparral, conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Arctostaphylos densiflora — Vine hill 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.