Arctostaphylos parryana
Parry manzanita
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Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Arctostaphylos parryana (Parry manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by S California mtns (SnGb, SnBr, TR, PR); glabrous green leaves, no burl.
Parry manzanita is a California native shrub found in mixed evergreen forests and chaparral habitats at elevations of 500 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from January to March, this plant produces pale pink to white urn-shaped flowers in delicate pendant clusters. Growing with multiple stems 1 to 2 meters tall, it features smooth reddish bark and an elegant branching structure. Its leathery leaves are oblong-ovate, 1.5 to 5 centimeters long, with a smooth entire margin and a distinctive obtuse base. The fruit is a spherical, glabrous drupe approximately 7 to 10 millimeters wide.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: S California mtns (SnGb, SnBr, TR, PR); glabrous green leaves, no burl
Habitat and range
California counties: Kern, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside, Tulare, Santa Barbara
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 parryana native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos parryana is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Arctostaphylos parryana grow?
Arctostaphylos parryana occurs in Kern, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside, Tulare, Santa Barbara.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos parryana belong to?
Arctostaphylos parryana is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Arctostaphylos parryana subsp. desertica — Desert manzanita
- Arctostaphylos parryana subsp. parryana — Parry manzanita
- Arctostaphylos parryana subsp. tumescens — Interior manzanita
- Arctostaphylos patula — Greenleaf manzanita
- Arctostaphylos patula subsp. gankinii — Gankin's greenleaf manzanita
- Arctostaphylos patula subsp. patula — Greenleaf manzanita
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.