Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. gabrielensis
San gabriel manzanita, San Gabriel Manzanita, San Gabriel manzanita
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. gabrielensis (San gabriel manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by habitat and leaf characteristics are key.
San gabriel manzanita is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in the southern Sierra Madre Mountains and San Gabriel Mountains in chaparral on granitic soils at elevations of 950 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from January to April, this plant produces white to pink flowers in drooping clusters with densely hairy bracts. Growing with gnarled branches 1 to 3 meters tall, it features distinctive twigs with sparse short hairs. Its leaves are shiny bright green, wedge-shaped to rounded at the base, becoming glabrous with age. The fruit consists of stones that are fused or divided into two to three distinct units.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species; habitat and leaf characteristics are key
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral on granitic soils
Elevation: 950-2000 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. gabrielensis blooms Jan-Apr.
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 glandulosa subsp. gabrielensis native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. gabrielensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. gabrielensis bloom?
Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. gabrielensis blooms Jan-Apr.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. gabrielensis grow?
Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. gabrielensis occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, at elevations of 950-2000 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. gabrielensis belong to?
Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. gabrielensis is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Is Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. gabrielensis rare or endangered?
Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. gabrielensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S3.
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 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.