Arctostaphylos klamathensis
Klamath manzanita, Klamath manzanita, Klamath manzanita
(c) David Anderson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Arctostaphylos klamathensis (Klamath manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by high elevation prostrate habit and glaucous scabrous leaves diagnostic.
Klamath manzanita is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in the eastern Klamath Ranges, specifically on Scott Mountain Divide and Slate Mountain, in rocky outcrops, slopes, and subalpine forest at elevations of 1,600 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces small white to pink flowers in delicate racemes with distinctive pendulous axes. Growing as a low, prostrate shrub reaching 10 to 50 centimeters tall, it spreads with glandular-hairy twigs and a distinctive growth habit. Its leaves are obovate to widely elliptic, 1 to 3.5 centimeters long, with a glaucous bluish-green surface that appears slightly scabrous and papillate, featuring entire margins and wedge-shaped bases. The fruit is a smooth, spherical structure approximately 6 to 7 millimeters wide with fused stones.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species; high elevation prostrate habit and glaucous scabrous leaves diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky outcrops, slopes, subalpine forest
Elevation: 1600-2000 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Trinity, Shasta, Humboldt, Del Norte
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos klamathensis blooms May-Jul.
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 klamathensis native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos klamathensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos klamathensis bloom?
Arctostaphylos klamathensis blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos klamathensis grow?
Arctostaphylos klamathensis occurs in Siskiyou, Trinity, Shasta, Humboldt, Del Norte, at elevations of 1600-2000 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos klamathensis belong to?
Arctostaphylos klamathensis is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Is Arctostaphylos klamathensis rare or endangered?
Arctostaphylos klamathensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Arctostaphylos luciana — Santa lucia manzanita
- Arctostaphylos malloryi — Mallory's manzanita
- Arctostaphylos manzanita — Common manzanita
- Arctostaphylos manzanita subsp. elegans — Konocti manzanita
- Arctostaphylos manzanita subsp. glaucescens
- Arctostaphylos manzanita subsp. laevigata — Contra costa 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.