Arctostaphylos pacifica
Pacific manzanita, Pacific manzanita, Pacific manzanita
(c) Madeleine Claire, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Arctostaphylos pacifica (Pacific manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by unique serrate leaf margins among manzanitas.
Pacific manzanita is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in the central coastal region on San Bruno Mountain in sandstone outcrops and chaparral at an elevation of 300 meters. Flowering from January to March, this plant produces pale pink to white urn-shaped flowers in small, pendulous racemes. Growing prostrate with distinctive reddish stems that reach 10 to 60 centimeters tall and develop characteristic burls, it forms a low-spreading ground cover. Its leaves are elliptic, 1 to 2 centimeters long, dark green on top and light green underneath, with a wedge-shaped base and serrated edges. The fruit is a spheric, reddish berry approximately 6 to 8 millimeters wide, with stones that may be partially or completely fused.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 32 sympatric species; unique serrate leaf margins among manzanitas
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandstone outcrops, chaparral
Elevation: 300 m
California counties: San Mateo
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos pacifica blooms Jan-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 pacifica native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos pacifica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos pacifica bloom?
Arctostaphylos pacifica blooms Jan-Mar.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos pacifica grow?
Arctostaphylos pacifica occurs in San Mateo, at elevations of 300 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos pacifica belong to?
Arctostaphylos pacifica is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Is Arctostaphylos pacifica rare or endangered?
Arctostaphylos pacifica carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Arctostaphylos pajaroensis — Pajaro manzanita
- Arctostaphylos pallida — Pallid manzanita
- Arctostaphylos parryana — Parry manzanita
- Arctostaphylos parryana subsp. desertica — Desert manzanita
- Arctostaphylos parryana subsp. parryana — Parry manzanita
- Arctostaphylos parryana subsp. tumescens — Interior 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.