Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. truei

True's manzanita, True's Manzanita, True's manzanita

Arctostaphylos mewukka — parent species of Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. truei

Photo: parent species Arctostaphylos mewukka · (c) Justin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence

Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 4.2

Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. truei (True's manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by white-glaucous round leaves and lack of burl.

True's manzanita is a rare (CNPS 4.2) California native shrub found in southern California Ranges, near Paradise, and northern Sierra Nevada Foothills in chaparral and forest openings at elevations of 290 to 1,350 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces white to pink flowers in clusters with buds hidden by appressed, keeled bracts. Growing with a distinctive burl-less form and reaching moderate shrub heights, it develops spreading branches with smooth reddish bark. Its leaves are broadly round to round-ovate, 4 to 7 centimeters wide, with a soft white-glaucous surface and blunt tips. The fruit contains stones that are occasionally partially fused, creating unique seed clusters characteristic of this manzanita subspecies.

Identification and appearance

Key characters: 16 sympatric species; white-glaucous round leaves and lack of burl are diagnostic

Habitat and range

Habitat: Chaparral, forest openings

Elevation: 290-1350 m

California counties: Butte, Plumas, El Dorado, Yuba

Bloom period

Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. truei blooms Mar-Apr.

Conservation status

CNPS 4.2

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 mewukka subsp. truei native to California?

Yes. Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. truei is native to California (recorded as native).

When does Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. truei bloom?

Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. truei blooms Mar-Apr.

Where in California does Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. truei grow?

Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. truei occurs in Butte, Plumas, El Dorado, Yuba, at elevations of 290-1350 m.

What plant family does Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. truei belong to?

Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. truei is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.

Is Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. truei rare or endangered?

Arctostaphylos mewukka subsp. truei carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.

Related species

Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.

All Arctostaphylos species · All Ericaceae

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.