Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. decumbens

Rincon ridge manzanita, Rincon Ridge Manzanita, Rincon Ridge manzanita

Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. decumbens (Rincon ridge manzanita), native California shrub

(c) Alan Rockefeller, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan Rockefeller · licence

Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1

Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. decumbens (Rincon ridge manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by prostrate habit distinguishes from erect subspecies.

Rincon ridge manzanita is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in southern North Coast Ranges near Healdsburg and Santa Rosa in Sonoma County chaparral at elevations around 100 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces pink to white urn-shaped flowers in small clusters. Growing as a prostrate to mounded shrub 10 to 100 centimeters tall with slender branches that have sparse short hairs, it forms low, spreading clumps across its chaparral habitat. Its leathery leaves are glabrous with petioles 4 to 8 millimeters long, arranged alternately along the branches. The fruit is a classic manzanita drupe, characteristic of its genus.

Identification and appearance

Key characters: 20 sympatric species; prostrate habit distinguishes from erect subspecies

Habitat and range

Habitat: Chaparral

Elevation: 100 m

Bloom period

Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. decumbens blooms Feb-Apr.

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 stanfordiana subsp. decumbens native to California?

Yes. Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. decumbens is native to California (recorded as native).

When does Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. decumbens bloom?

Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. decumbens blooms Feb-Apr.

What plant family does Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. decumbens belong to?

Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. decumbens is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.

Is Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. decumbens rare or endangered?

Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. decumbens carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.

What habitat does Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. decumbens grow in?

Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. decumbens grows in Chaparral.

Related species

Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.

All Arctostaphylos species · All Ericaceae

Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.