Arctostaphylos rudis
Sand mesa manzanita, sand mesa manzanita, sand mesa manzanita
(c) Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Arctostaphylos rudis (Sand mesa manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by bright green shiny leaves, shredding bark, and large fruits.
Sand mesa manzanita is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in southern Central Coast and southern Southern California Coastal Ranges, including Nipomo, Burton mesas, Point Sal, southwestern San Luis Obispo, and northwestern Santa Barbara counties in sandy chaparral habitats at elevations below 380 meters. Flowering from November to February, this plant produces pale pink to white flowers in small, pendulous racemes. Growing erect to 1 to 3 meters tall with a prominent burled base, it features distinctive gray bark that shreds from older stems and bright green, shiny elliptical leaves 1 to 3 centimeters long. Its leaves are erect with wedge-shaped to rounded bases, entire margins, and acute tips, appearing puberulent when young and becoming glabrous with age. The fruit is a depressed-spheric berry 8 to 14 millimeters wide, with stones that may be variably fused or free.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 43 sympatric species; bright green shiny leaves, shredding bark, and large fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy soils, chaparral
Elevation: < 380 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Francisco
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos rudis blooms Nov-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 rudis native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos rudis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos rudis bloom?
Arctostaphylos rudis blooms Nov-Feb.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos rudis grow?
Arctostaphylos rudis occurs in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Francisco, at elevations of < 380 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos rudis belong to?
Arctostaphylos rudis is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Is Arctostaphylos rudis rare or endangered?
Arctostaphylos rudis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Arctostaphylos sensitiva — Glossyleaf manzanita
- Arctostaphylos silvicola — Bonny doon manzanita
- Arctostaphylos sp. — Manzanita
- Arctostaphylos stanfordiana — Stanford's manzanita
- Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. decumbens — Rincon ridge manzanita
- Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. raichei — Raiche's 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.