Arctostaphylos sensitiva
Glossyleaf manzanita
(c) LJ Moore-McClelland, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Arctostaphylos sensitiva (Glossyleaf manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by unique 4-petaled flowers and splitting fruits.
Glossyleaf manzanita is a California native shrub found in western San Francisco Bay region, specifically on Bolinas Ridge, Mount Tamalpais, and Santa Cruz Mountains in rocky chaparral and closed-cone conifer forest at elevations below 600 meters. Flowering from January to April, this plant produces white flowers in pendulous panicle clusters with delicate branching. Growing one to two meters tall with erect stems densely covered in short and long glandular hairs, it develops distinctive glossy leaves. Its leaves are round to round-ovate, measuring one to 2.2 centimeters long, with a shiny dark green upper surface and light green undersurface, featuring a truncate base and entire margins. The mature fruit develops as a small subcylindric structure three to four millimeters wide, with stones that separate upon splitting.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 19 sympatric species; unique 4-petaled flowers and splitting fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky sites, chaparral, closed-cone conifer forest
Elevation: < 600 m
California counties: Santa Cruz, Marin, San Mateo, Monterey
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos sensitiva blooms Jan-Apr.
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 sensitiva native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos sensitiva is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos sensitiva bloom?
Arctostaphylos sensitiva blooms Jan-Apr.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos sensitiva grow?
Arctostaphylos sensitiva occurs in Santa Cruz, Marin, San Mateo, Monterey, at elevations of < 600 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos sensitiva belong to?
Arctostaphylos sensitiva is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
What habitat does Arctostaphylos sensitiva grow in?
Arctostaphylos sensitiva grows in Rocky sites, chaparral, closed-cone conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. stanfordiana
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.