Arctostaphylos hookeri subsp. hearstiorum
Hearsts' manzanita, Hearsts' Manzanita, Hearsts' manzanita
(c) Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Arctostaphylos hookeri subsp. hearstiorum (Hearsts' manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by prostrate habit and very small size diagnostic.
Hearsts' manzanita is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in southern central coastal California, specifically in northern San Luis Obispo County's coastal prairie at elevations of 10 to 50 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces white to pink flowers in small clusters characteristic of manzanitas. Growing as a low, prostrate shrub typically 10 to 20 centimeters tall, it spreads close to the ground with distinctive smooth reddish bark. Its leaves are small and approximately elliptical, measuring 8 to 12 millimeters long and 4 to 7 millimeters wide, with short petioles connecting them to slender branches. The fruit is a small, rounded drupe approximately 3 to 4 millimeters wide, typical of the manzanita genus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 32 sympatric species; prostrate habit and very small size diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal prairie
Elevation: 10-50 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Monterey
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos hookeri subsp. hearstiorum blooms Feb-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 hookeri subsp. hearstiorum native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos hookeri subsp. hearstiorum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos hookeri subsp. hearstiorum bloom?
Arctostaphylos hookeri subsp. hearstiorum blooms Feb-Apr.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos hookeri subsp. hearstiorum grow?
Arctostaphylos hookeri subsp. hearstiorum occurs in San Luis Obispo, Monterey, at elevations of 10-50 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos hookeri subsp. hearstiorum belong to?
Arctostaphylos hookeri subsp. hearstiorum is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Is Arctostaphylos hookeri subsp. hearstiorum rare or endangered?
Arctostaphylos hookeri subsp. hearstiorum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2?.
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.