Arctostaphylos mewukka
Indian manzanita
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Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Arctostaphylos mewukka (Indian manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by large leaves and distinctive dark fruit.
Indian manzanita is a California native shrub found in foothill and montane woodland habitats at elevations of 300 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from January to March, this plant produces pale pink to white urn-shaped flowers in pendant clusters. Growing as an erect shrub 1 to 3 meters tall with smooth, reddish mahogany-colored branches, it has a distinctive burled or unbranched form. Its leaves are dull green, 3 to 7 centimeters long, with entire margins and rounded bases, forming a dense, rounded canopy. The fruit is a dark mahogany-brown, depressed-spheric berry approximately 10 to 16 millimeters wide.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; large leaves and distinctive dark fruit are diagnostic
Habitat and range
California counties: Butte, Placer, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Calaveras, Fresno, Nevada, Tulare, Amador, El Dorado, Plumas, Tehama, Shasta, Los Angeles, Trinity, Sierra, Yuba, Merced
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 mewukka native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos mewukka is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Arctostaphylos mewukka grow?
Arctostaphylos mewukka occurs in Butte, Placer, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Calaveras, Fresno, Nevada, Tulare and other counties.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos mewukka belong to?
Arctostaphylos mewukka is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. mewukka
- Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. truei — True's manzanita
- Arctostaphylos montana — Mt. tamalpais manzanita
- Arctostaphylos montana subsp. montana — Mount tamalpais manzanita
- Arctostaphylos montana subsp. ravenii — Presidio manzanita
- Arctostaphylos montaraensis — Montara manzanita
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.