Arctostaphylos ohloneana
Ohlone manzanita, Ohlone manzanita, Ohlone manzanita
(c) JOE BLOWE, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Arctostaphylos ohloneana (Ohlone manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by Ben Lomond Mountain endemic.
Ohlone manzanita is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in southwestern San Francisco Bay Area, specifically in northern Ben Lomond Mountain and northwestern Santa Cruz County, growing on siliceous shale outcrops in chaparral and knobcone-pine woodland at elevations of 400 to 500 meters. Flowering from February to March, this plant produces light-colored blossoms in pendulous panicle clusters with delicate branching. Growing erect to one to two meters tall, it develops distinctive twigs with sparse short and occasionally long glandular hairs. Its leaves are elliptic to ovate-elliptic, measuring 1.5 to 3 centimeters long, with a wedge-shaped base, acute tip, and entire margins, initially light green and puberulent before becoming glabrous with age. The fruit is a depressed-spheric structure 5 to 8 millimeters wide, with stones that may be variably fused or free.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; Ben Lomond Mountain endemic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Siliceous shale outcrops, chaparral, knobcone-pine woodland
Elevation: 400-500 m
California counties: Santa Cruz
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos ohloneana blooms Feb-Mar.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 ohloneana native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos ohloneana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos ohloneana bloom?
Arctostaphylos ohloneana blooms Feb-Mar.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos ohloneana grow?
Arctostaphylos ohloneana occurs in Santa Cruz, at elevations of 400-500 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos ohloneana belong to?
Arctostaphylos ohloneana is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Is Arctostaphylos ohloneana rare or endangered?
Arctostaphylos ohloneana carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
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.