Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. rosei
Rose's manzanita, Rose's Manzanita
Photo: parent species Arctostaphylos crustacea · (c) Stan Shebs, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. rosei (Rose's manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by smooth leaf undersides but hairy twigs and reproductive parts.
Rose's manzanita is a California native shrub found in the central coastal region including Lake Merced, San Francisco County, and the Santa Lucia Range in Monterey County, inhabiting chaparral, conifer forest, and coastal bluffs at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces white to pink urn-shaped flowers in small clusters. Growing as a dense, spreading shrub with smooth reddish-brown bark and twisted branches, it typically reaches 1 to 2 meters in height. Its leathery leaves are dark green, smooth on the underside, and arranged alternately along the branches. The fruit is a distinctive pale brown to reddish berry-like drupe characteristic of manzanita species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 32 sympatric species; distinguished by smooth leaf undersides but hairy twigs and reproductive parts
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, conifer forest, coastal bluffs
Elevation: < 500 m
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. rosei 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. rosei native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. rosei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. rosei bloom?
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. rosei blooms Feb-Apr.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. rosei belong to?
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. rosei is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
What habitat does Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. rosei grow in?
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. rosei grows in Chaparral, conifer forest, coastal bluffs.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Arctostaphylos gabilanensis — Gabilan mountains manzanita
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.