Arctostaphylos morroensis
Morro manzanita, Morro manzanita, Morro manzanita
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Threatened
Arctostaphylos morroensis (Morro manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by distinctive two-toned leaf coloration.
Morro manzanita is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in southern Central Coast region near Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo County in stabilized sand dunes and chaparral at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from January to March, this plant produces white to pink urn-shaped flowers in pendulous, bell-shaped clusters. Growing 1 to 4 meters tall with erect stems that have gray bark which shreds and branches covered in white non-glandular hairs, it forms a distinctive architectural shape. Its leaves are dark green and shiny, oblong-ovate, 1.5 to 3 centimeters long with a gray-tomentose undersurface and entire margins that are slightly cupped. The fruit is a depressed-spheric berry approximately 7 to 10 millimeters wide, with stones that can be variably fused or free.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 32 sympatric species; distinctive two-toned leaf coloration is diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Stabilized sand dunes, sandstones, chaparral
Elevation: < 200 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, San Francisco, Santa Barbara
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos morroensis blooms Jan-Mar.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Threatened
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 morroensis native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos morroensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos morroensis bloom?
Arctostaphylos morroensis blooms Jan-Mar.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos morroensis grow?
Arctostaphylos morroensis occurs in San Luis Obispo, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, at elevations of < 200 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos morroensis belong to?
Arctostaphylos morroensis is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Is Arctostaphylos morroensis rare or endangered?
Arctostaphylos morroensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Arctostaphylos nissenana — Nissenan 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.