Arctostaphylos nevadensis subsp. knightii
Knight's manzanita, Knight's Manzanita
(c) Laura Camp, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Arctostaphylos nevadensis subsp. knightii (Knight's manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by prostrate habit with burl present.
Knight's manzanita is a California native shrub found in the Klamath Ranges and northern Coast Ranges in rocky outcrops and conifer forests at elevations of 200 to 2,600 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white to pink urn-shaped flowers in small clustered groups. Growing to 1 to 2 meters tall with smooth, reddish-brown bark that peels in characteristic manzanita fashion, it develops a distinctive underground burl that allows regeneration after fire. Its leathery, dark green leaves are oval to oblong, 2 to 5 centimeters long, with smooth edges and a thick, waxy surface that helps prevent water loss. The shrub produces small, round berrylike fruits that are typical of the manzanita genus, providing food for wildlife in its mountain habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 19 sympatric species; key features are prostrate habit with burl present
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky outcrops, conifer forests
Elevation: 200-2600 m
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos nevadensis subsp. knightii blooms May-Jul.
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 nevadensis subsp. knightii native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos nevadensis subsp. knightii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos nevadensis subsp. knightii bloom?
Arctostaphylos nevadensis subsp. knightii blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos nevadensis subsp. knightii belong to?
Arctostaphylos nevadensis subsp. knightii is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
What habitat does Arctostaphylos nevadensis subsp. knightii grow in?
Arctostaphylos nevadensis subsp. knightii grows in Rocky outcrops, conifer forests.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Arctostaphylos nevadensis subsp. nevadensis — Pine-mat manzanita
- Arctostaphylos nipumu — Nipomo Mesa manzanita
- Arctostaphylos nissenana — Nissenan manzanita
- Arctostaphylos nortensis — Del norte manzanita
- Arctostaphylos nummularia — Glossy leaved manzanita
- Arctostaphylos nummularia subsp. mendocinoensis — Pygmy manzanita
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.