Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. cushingiana
Cushing manzanita, Cushing Manzanita
Photo: parent species Arctostaphylos glandulosa · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. cushingiana (Cushing manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by challenging to differentiate without technical features.
Cushing manzanita is a California native shrub found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, San Francisco Bay Area, southern Coast Ranges, and Peninsular Ranges in chaparral and conifer forest at elevations of 50 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from January to April, this plant produces white to pink urn-shaped flowers in small clusters. Growing with spreading branches 1 to 3 meters tall, it forms a distinctive multi-stemmed shrub with smooth, reddish bark. Its leaves are smooth, ranging from green to gray-green, with a leathery texture and rounded edges. The plant features densely white-hairy stems, flower clusters, and young growth, giving it a soft, silvery appearance in its native habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 61 sympatric species; challenging to differentiate without technical features
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, conifer forest
Elevation: 50-1900 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Los Angeles, Napa, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Marin, Mendocino, Sonoma, Ventura, Riverside, Humboldt, Solano, Lake, Del Norte, Santa Clara, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. cushingiana blooms Jan-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 glandulosa subsp. cushingiana native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. cushingiana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. cushingiana bloom?
Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. cushingiana blooms Jan-Apr.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. cushingiana grow?
Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. cushingiana occurs in San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Los Angeles, Napa, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Marin, Mendocino and other counties, at elevations of 50-1900 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. cushingiana belong to?
Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. cushingiana is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
What habitat does Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. cushingiana grow in?
Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. cushingiana grows in Chaparral, conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-01
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.