Arctostaphylos pajaroensis
Pajaro manzanita, Pajaro manzanita, Pajaro manzanita
(c) Dean Wm. Taylor, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Arctostaphylos pajaroensis (Pajaro manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by blue-green leaves with red margins and clasping bases.
Pajaro manzanita is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in north-central Coast ranges and southern San Francisco Bay area's Pajaro Hills in chaparral and sandstone outcrops at elevations below 755 meters. Flowering from December to February, this plant produces pale pink to white flowers in delicate pendant panicles with branches 2 to 5 centimeters long. Growing 1 to 4 meters tall with erect stems featuring distinctive gray bark that shreds and twigs covered in short non-glandular hairs, it displays a striking architectural form. Its leaves are ovate to triangular-ovate, 2 to 4 centimeters long, with a dark blue-green upper surface that appears glaucous and edges tinged subtly with red, clasping at the base and cupped in profile. The fruit is a depressed-spheric structure 6 to 8 millimeters wide, sparsely hairy and containing stones that may be variably fused or separate.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 19 sympatric species; blue-green leaves with red margins and clasping bases are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandstone outcrops, chaparral
Elevation: < 755 m
California counties: Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Yolo
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos pajaroensis blooms Dec-Feb.
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 pajaroensis native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos pajaroensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos pajaroensis bloom?
Arctostaphylos pajaroensis blooms Dec-Feb.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos pajaroensis grow?
Arctostaphylos pajaroensis occurs in Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Yolo, at elevations of < 755 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos pajaroensis belong to?
Arctostaphylos pajaroensis is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Is Arctostaphylos pajaroensis rare or endangered?
Arctostaphylos pajaroensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Arctostaphylos patula — Greenleaf 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.