Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. subcordata
Santa cruz island manzanita, Santa Cruz Island Manzanita, Santa Cruz 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. subcordata (Santa cruz island manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by densely glandular-hairy twigs and tomentose papillate leaf undersides.
Santa Cruz island manzanita is a rare (CNPS 4.2) California native shrub found in northern Channel Islands, specifically on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa islands, in chaparral and conifer forest at elevations of 100 to 730 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces white to pale pink flowers with distinctive glandular-hairy twigs and nascent flower clusters. Growing with a dense, spreading form and reaching heights typical of manzanita shrubs, it has intricate branches covered in glandular hairs. Its leaves are soft and slightly fuzzy, with undersides that are tomentose and sparsely glandular-hairy, creating a textured appearance. The plant's ovary is covered in white, non-glandular hairs, adding to its unique botanical characteristics.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; distinguished by densely glandular-hairy twigs and tomentose papillate leaf undersides
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, conifer forest
Elevation: 100-730 m
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. subcordata 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. subcordata native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. subcordata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. subcordata bloom?
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. subcordata blooms Feb-Apr.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. subcordata belong to?
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. subcordata is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Is Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. subcordata rare or endangered?
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. subcordata carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
What habitat does Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. subcordata grow in?
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. subcordata grows in Chaparral, conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Arctostaphylos glandulosa — Eastwood 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.