Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. mewukka
Photo: parent species Arctostaphylos mewukka · (c) Justin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. mewukka is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by burled base and glaucous leaves.
mewuk manzanita is a California native shrub found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, including the Sierra Nevada Foothills and Sierra Nevada High Country, in chaparral and forest openings at elevations of 333 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces pale pink to white urn-shaped flowers in small clusters. Growing with a distinctive burled habit and reaching 1 to 2 meters tall, it develops gnarled, woody stems. Its leaves are oblong to lance-ovate, 2 to 4 centimeters wide, with a distinctive gray-glaucous surface and acute tips. The fruit consists of stones that may be variably fused or free.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; key features are burled base and glaucous leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, forest openings
Elevation: 333-1800 m
California counties: El Dorado, Butte, Fresno, Plumas, Calaveras, Tulare, Mariposa, Tuolumne
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. mewukka blooms Mar-Apr.
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 subsp. mewukka native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. mewukka is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. mewukka bloom?
Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. mewukka blooms Mar-Apr.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. mewukka grow?
Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. mewukka occurs in El Dorado, Butte, Fresno, Plumas, Calaveras, Tulare, Mariposa, Tuolumne, at elevations of 333-1800 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. mewukka belong to?
Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. mewukka is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
What habitat does Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. mewukka grow in?
Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. mewukka grows in Chaparral, forest openings.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Arctostaphylos montereyensis — Toro 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.