Arctostaphylos nortensis
Del norte manzanita, Del Norte manzanita, Del Norte manzanita
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Arctostaphylos nortensis (Del norte manzanita) is a native California shrub / tree in the Ericaceae family, recognized by northern Del Norte County endemic.
Del norte manzanita is a California native shrub ranked 4.3 by CNPS, found in the northwestern Klamath Ranges in northern Del Norte County, growing on rocky slopes and in chaparral and conifer forest at elevations of 500 to 940 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces white flowers in pendant racemes with distinctive bristly branches. Growing 2 to 5 meters tall with erect stems covered in long, stiff bristles, it develops a distinctive branching structure. Its leaves are narrowly elliptic-ovate, 2 to 4 centimeters long, glaucous and gray when young, turning dark green with age, with a truncate to rounded base and entire flat margins. The fruit is a depressed-spheric structure 6 to 8 millimeters wide, with stones that may be variably fused or free.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; northern Del Norte County endemic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, occasionally serpentine, chaparral, conifer forest
Elevation: 500-940 m
California counties: Del Norte
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos nortensis blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 nortensis native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos nortensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos nortensis bloom?
Arctostaphylos nortensis blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos nortensis grow?
Arctostaphylos nortensis occurs in Del Norte, at elevations of 500-940 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos nortensis belong to?
Arctostaphylos nortensis is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Is Arctostaphylos nortensis rare or endangered?
Arctostaphylos nortensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.