Arctostaphylos montana subsp. montana
Mount tamalpais manzanita, Mount Tamalpais Manzanita, Mt. Tamalpais manzanita
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Arctostaphylos montana subsp. montana (Mount tamalpais manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by Mount Tamalpais endemic.
Mount tamalpais manzanita is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native shrub found in northwestern San Francisco Bay region on Mount Tamalpais in Marin County within serpentine chaparral at elevations of 250 to 800 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces white to pink flowers in small clusters. Growing 0.5 to 2 meters tall with a mounded to erect form, it has twigs densely covered in short white non-glandular hairs. Its leaves are round to elliptic, 1 to 2.5 centimeters long and 1 to 1.5 centimeters wide, with a distinctive smooth texture. The fruit is relatively small, 6 to 8 millimeters wide with variable stone fusion.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; Mount Tamalpais endemic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine chaparral
Elevation: 250-800 m
California counties: Marin
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos montana subsp. montana blooms Feb-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 montana subsp. montana native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos montana subsp. montana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos montana subsp. montana bloom?
Arctostaphylos montana subsp. montana blooms Feb-Apr.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos montana subsp. montana grow?
Arctostaphylos montana subsp. montana occurs in Marin, at elevations of 250-800 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos montana subsp. montana belong to?
Arctostaphylos montana subsp. montana is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Is Arctostaphylos montana subsp. montana rare or endangered?
Arctostaphylos montana subsp. montana carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.