Arctostaphylos montana subsp. ravenii
Presidio manzanita, Presidio Manzanita, Presidio manzanita
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Arctostaphylos montana subsp. ravenii (Presidio manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by prostrate habit and small fruit size.
Presidio manzanita is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in northern Central Coast region at the San Francisco Presidio in serpentine chaparral at elevations of 60 to 95 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces pink to white flowers in small clusters. Growing as a low, prostrate shrub 10 to 30 centimeters tall with short gray-hairy twigs, it has a distinctive spreading growth habit. Its leaves are rounded to round-elliptic, 1 to 2 centimeters long and 1 to 1.5 centimeters wide, forming a compact ground-hugging form. The fruit is small and compact, approximately 4 to 5 millimeters wide.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 25 sympatric species; key features are prostrate habit and small fruit size
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine chaparral
Elevation: 60-95 m
California counties: San Francisco
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos montana subsp. ravenii blooms Feb-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
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. ravenii native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos montana subsp. ravenii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos montana subsp. ravenii bloom?
Arctostaphylos montana subsp. ravenii blooms Feb-Apr.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos montana subsp. ravenii grow?
Arctostaphylos montana subsp. ravenii occurs in San Francisco, at elevations of 60-95 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos montana subsp. ravenii belong to?
Arctostaphylos montana subsp. ravenii is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Is Arctostaphylos montana subsp. ravenii rare or endangered?
Arctostaphylos montana subsp. ravenii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
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.