Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. insulicola
Island manzanita, Island Manzanita, island manzanita
(c) Stan Shebs, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. insulicola (Island manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by short-hairy twigs and leaf undersides.
Island manzanita is a rare (CNPS 4.2) California native shrub found in the northern Channel Islands including Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa islands in chaparral and conifer forest at elevations of 5 to 700 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces white to pink urn-shaped flowers in clusters that emerge from densely hairy twigs. Growing as a compact shrub 1 to 2 meters tall with smooth, reddish-brown bark that peels in thin layers, it develops a distinctive branching structure. Its leathery, dark green leaves are oval to rounded, 2 to 5 centimeters long, with short hairs on the lower surface that give a soft, fuzzy appearance. The fruit is a sticky, white to pinkish drupe typical of manzanita species, clustered in small groups along the branches.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; distinguished by short-hairy twigs and leaf undersides
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, conifer forest
Elevation: 5-700 m
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. insulicola blooms Feb-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 crustacea subsp. insulicola native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. insulicola is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. insulicola bloom?
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. insulicola blooms Feb-Apr.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. insulicola belong to?
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. insulicola is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Is Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. insulicola rare or endangered?
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. insulicola carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
What habitat does Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. insulicola grow in?
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. insulicola grows in Chaparral, conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Arctostaphylos edmundsii — Little sur manzanita
- Arctostaphylos franciscana — Franciscan manzanita
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.