Arctostaphylos refugioensis
Refugio manzanita, Refugio manzanita, Refugio manzanita
(c) John Rusk, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Arctostaphylos refugioensis (Refugio manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by large overlapping leaves and many-branched inflorescence.
Refugio manzanita is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in the southern Santa Ynez Mountains in sandstone chaparral at elevations of 300 to 820 meters. Flowering from December to February, this plant produces pale pink to white flowers in pendulous panicle clusters with glandular-hairy bracts. Growing as an erect shrub 2 to 4 meters tall with densely hairy twigs, it develops a distinctive branching structure. Its leaves are wide-ovate, 3 to 4.5 centimeters long, glaucous and dull, with a clasping base and entire margins. The fruit is a smooth, spherical berry approximately 10 to 15 millimeters wide with markedly fused stone structures.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; large overlapping leaves and many-branched inflorescence
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandstone outcrops, chaparral
Elevation: 300-820 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, Orange
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos refugioensis blooms Dec-Feb.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 refugioensis native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos refugioensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos refugioensis bloom?
Arctostaphylos refugioensis blooms Dec-Feb.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos refugioensis grow?
Arctostaphylos refugioensis occurs in Santa Barbara, Orange, at elevations of 300-820 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos refugioensis belong to?
Arctostaphylos refugioensis is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Is Arctostaphylos refugioensis rare or endangered?
Arctostaphylos refugioensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S3.
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.