Arctostaphylos hispidula
Howell's manzanita, Howell's manzanita, Howell's manzanita
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Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Arctostaphylos hispidula (Howell's manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by small scabrous leaves and serpentine habitat diagnostic.
Howell's manzanita is a rare (CNPS 4.2) California native shrub found in the Klamath Ranges and northern Coast Ranges in rocky serpentine and sandstone areas of interior chaparral and open woodland at elevations of 100 to 1,250 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces pale pink to white flowers in small, glandular-hairy panicles. Growing as an erect shrub 1 to 3 meters tall with fine glandular-hairy twigs, it develops a distinctive branching structure. Its leaves are dull green, elliptic to oblanceolate, 1.5 to 3 centimeters long with a wedge-shaped base and acute tip, characterized by glandular-hairy and scabrous surfaces. The fruit is approximately 5 to 7 millimeters wide, nearly spherical and glabrous.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 28 sympatric species; small scabrous leaves and serpentine habitat diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky serpentine soils or sandstone, interior chaparral, open woodland
Elevation: 100-1250 m
California counties: Del Norte, Sonoma, Humboldt
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos hispidula blooms Mar-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 hispidula native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos hispidula is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos hispidula bloom?
Arctostaphylos hispidula blooms Mar-Apr.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos hispidula grow?
Arctostaphylos hispidula occurs in Del Norte, Sonoma, Humboldt, at elevations of 100-1250 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos hispidula belong to?
Arctostaphylos hispidula is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Is Arctostaphylos hispidula rare or endangered?
Arctostaphylos hispidula carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Arctostaphylos hookeri — Hooker's manzanita
- Arctostaphylos hookeri subsp. hearstiorum — Hearsts' manzanita
- Arctostaphylos hookeri subsp. hookeri — Hooker's manzanita
- Arctostaphylos hooveri — Hoover's manzanita
- Arctostaphylos imbricata — San bruno mountain manzanita
- Arctostaphylos insularis — Island manzanita
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.