Arctostaphylos montereyensis
Toro manzanita, Toro Manzanita, Toro manzanita, Toro manzanita
(c) Henrik Kibak, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Henrik Kibak · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Arctostaphylos montereyensis (Toro manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by completely glandular-hairy sticky plant surfaces are unique.
Toro manzanita is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in central California Coast and northern southern Coastal Ranges, specifically at Fort Ord and Mount Toro in Monterey County, in chaparral on sandstone soils at elevations below 350 meters. Flowering from January to March, this plant produces pale pink to white flowers in pendant panicle clusters with distinctive glandular-hairy branches. Growing erect and 1 to 3 meters tall with bright green to slightly glaucous branches, it develops a distinctive glandular-hairy structure. Its leaves are erect and round to oblong-ovate, 2 to 3 centimeters long, with a rounded or truncate base and an abruptly soft-pointed tip, appearing scabrous and papillate. The fruit is sticky and depressed-spheric, 8 to 12 millimeters wide with stones that may be variably fused or free.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 43 sympatric species; completely glandular-hairy sticky plant surfaces are unique
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandstone soils (stabilized dunes), chaparral
Elevation: < 350 m
California counties: Monterey, San Luis Obispo
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos montereyensis 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 montereyensis native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos montereyensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos montereyensis bloom?
Arctostaphylos montereyensis blooms Jan-Mar.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos montereyensis grow?
Arctostaphylos montereyensis occurs in Monterey, San Luis Obispo, at elevations of < 350 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos montereyensis belong to?
Arctostaphylos montereyensis is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Is Arctostaphylos montereyensis rare or endangered?
Arctostaphylos montereyensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2?.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Arctostaphylos nipumu — Nipomo Mesa 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.