Arctostaphylos cruzensis
Arroyo de la cruz manzanita, Arroyo De La Cruz manzanita, Arroyo de la Cruz manzanita, Arroyo de la Cruz manzanita
(c) John Rusk, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Arctostaphylos cruzensis (Arroyo de la cruz manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by prostrate habit and clasping lobed leaf bases.
Arroyo de la cruz manzanita is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in central California Coast bioregion in southern Monterey and northwestern San Luis Obispo counties, inhabiting sandy bluffs, maritime chaparral, and coastal prairie at elevations below 150 meters. Flowering from January to March, this plant produces white to pink flowers in pendulous, bell-shaped clusters hidden by large bracts. Growing prostrate with a low-spreading form to 1 meter tall, it develops bright green, oblong-ovate leaves that are tomentose when young and become smooth with age. Its leaves measure 1.5 to 3 centimeters long, have clasping bases, and feature delicate hairy margins near the leaf base. The fruit is a depressed spherical berry approximately 8 to 10 millimeters wide, with stones that may be variably fused or separate.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 32 sympatric species; distinguished by prostrate habit and clasping lobed leaf bases
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy bluffs, maritime chaparral, coastal prairie
Elevation: < 150 m
California counties: San Mateo, San Luis Obispo, Monterey
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos cruzensis blooms Jan-Mar.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 cruzensis native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos cruzensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos cruzensis bloom?
Arctostaphylos cruzensis blooms Jan-Mar.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos cruzensis grow?
Arctostaphylos cruzensis occurs in San Mateo, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, at elevations of < 150 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos cruzensis belong to?
Arctostaphylos cruzensis is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Is Arctostaphylos cruzensis rare or endangered?
Arctostaphylos cruzensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.