Arctostaphylos insularis
Island manzanita
(c) Ryan Donnelly, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ryan Donnelly · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Arctostaphylos insularis (Island manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by island endemic status and large stature diagnostic.
Island manzanita is a California native shrub found on Santa Cruz Island in rocky slopes, chaparral, and woodland habitats at elevations below 400 meters. Flowering from January to March, this plant produces white to pink urn-shaped flowers in pendant panicle clusters. Growing as an erect shrub 2 to 5 meters tall with smooth, distinctive reddish bark and bright green, shiny leaves, it forms an elegant landscape profile. Its leaves are oblong-elliptic, cupped, 2.5 to 4.5 centimeters long and 1 to 3 centimeters wide, with entire margins and a rounded base. The fruit is a depressed-spheric berry 8 to 15 millimeters wide, with stones that may be variably fused or free.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; island endemic status and large stature diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, chaparral, woodland
Elevation: < 400 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Orange, Monterey
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos insularis blooms Jan-Mar.
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 insularis native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos insularis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos insularis bloom?
Arctostaphylos insularis blooms Jan-Mar.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos insularis grow?
Arctostaphylos insularis occurs in Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Orange, Monterey, at elevations of < 400 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos insularis belong to?
Arctostaphylos insularis is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
What habitat does Arctostaphylos insularis grow in?
Arctostaphylos insularis grows in Rocky slopes, chaparral, woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.