Arctostaphylos montaraensis
Montara manzanita, Montara manzanita, Montara manzanita
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Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Arctostaphylos montaraensis (Montara manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by glandular-hairy sticky parts and clasping leaf bases.
Montara manzanita is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in the central California Coast and western San Francisco Bay bioregions on granite and sandstone outcrops in chaparral and coastal scrub at elevations of 200 to 500 meters. Flowering from January to March, this plant produces white to pink flowers in pendant clusters with glandular-hairy branches and lanceolate bracts. Growing from 0.5 to 5 meters tall, with mounded to erect form, it develops dense long-glandular-hairy twigs. Its bright green leaves are ovate, 2.5 to 4.5 centimeters long, with lobed bases that clasp the stem and entire margins. The fruit is a sticky, glandular-hairy drupe 6 to 7 millimeters wide with variably fused stone segments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 45 sympatric species; glandular-hairy sticky parts and clasping leaf bases are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Granite, sandstone outcrops, chaparral, coastal scrub
Elevation: 200-500 m
California counties: San Mateo
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos montaraensis blooms Jan-Mar.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 montaraensis native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos montaraensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos montaraensis bloom?
Arctostaphylos montaraensis blooms Jan-Mar.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos montaraensis grow?
Arctostaphylos montaraensis occurs in San Mateo, at elevations of 200-500 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos montaraensis belong to?
Arctostaphylos montaraensis is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Is Arctostaphylos montaraensis rare or endangered?
Arctostaphylos montaraensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Arctostaphylos montereyensis — Toro manzanita
- Arctostaphylos morroensis — Morro manzanita
- Arctostaphylos myrtifolia — Ione manzanita
- Arctostaphylos nevadensis — Pine mat manzanita
- Arctostaphylos nevadensis subsp. knightii — Knight's manzanita
- Arctostaphylos nevadensis subsp. nevadensis — Pine-mat manzanita
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.