Arctostaphylos manzanita subsp. roofii
(c) Dean Wm. Taylor, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Arctostaphylos manzanita subsp. roofii is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by prominent burl and awl-shaped bracts diagnostic.
Roof's manzanita is a California native shrub found in northern California Interior Ranges and Butte County in chaparral and conifer forest at elevations of 121 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces pale pink to white flowers in branched clusters with distinctive awl-shaped bracts. Growing with a prominent burl and glabrous to lightly hairy twigs, it forms a compact shrub with variable branching. Its leaves range from dull to bright green, contributing to the plant's distinctive appearance. The fruit develops with stones that are variably free or partially fused, and is generally covered in minute glandular hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 22 sympatric species; prominent burl and awl-shaped bracts diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, conifer forest
Elevation: 121-1800 m
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos manzanita subsp. roofii blooms Feb-May.
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 manzanita subsp. roofii native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos manzanita subsp. roofii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos manzanita subsp. roofii bloom?
Arctostaphylos manzanita subsp. roofii blooms Feb-May.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos manzanita subsp. roofii belong to?
Arctostaphylos manzanita subsp. roofii is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
What habitat does Arctostaphylos manzanita subsp. roofii grow in?
Arctostaphylos manzanita subsp. roofii grows in Chaparral, conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.