Arctostaphylos myrtifolia
Ione manzanita, Ione Manzanita, Ione manzanita, Ione manzanita
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2 · Threatened
Arctostaphylos myrtifolia (Ione manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by very small narrow leaves and tiny fruits are distinctive.
Ione manzanita is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in northern Sierra Nevada foothills in Amador and Calaveras counties, growing in chaparral and woodland habitats at elevations of 70 to 770 meters. Flowering from January to February, this plant produces pink to white flowers in small, pendulous racemes. Growing as a mounded to erect shrub 0.5 to 1.5 meters tall with distinctive red stems marked by gray or glaucous patches, it features smooth older stems and glandular-hairy twigs. Its bright green, shiny leaves are narrowly elliptic, 0.6 to 1.5 centimeters long, with wedge-shaped bases and entire margins. The fruit is a small, spherical drupe approximately 3 to 4 millimeters wide, with stones that may be variably fused or free.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; very small narrow leaves and tiny fruits are distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Acidic sandy or clay soils, chaparral, woodland
Elevation: 70-770 m
California counties: Amador, Calaveras, San Luis Obispo, Alameda
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos myrtifolia blooms Jan-Feb.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2 · 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 myrtifolia native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos myrtifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos myrtifolia bloom?
Arctostaphylos myrtifolia blooms Jan-Feb.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos myrtifolia grow?
Arctostaphylos myrtifolia occurs in Amador, Calaveras, San Luis Obispo, Alameda, at elevations of 70-770 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos myrtifolia belong to?
Arctostaphylos myrtifolia is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Is Arctostaphylos myrtifolia rare or endangered?
Arctostaphylos myrtifolia carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Arctostaphylos nortensis — Del norte 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.