Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. stanfordiana
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Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. stanfordiana is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by erect habit with smooth leaves and glabrous surfaces.
Stanford manzanita is a California native shrub found in northern coastal California regions including central Coast Ranges and inner North Coast Ranges in chaparral habitat at elevations of 150 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces pale pink to white urn-shaped flowers in small clusters. Growing erectly to 1 to 3 meters tall with smooth, glossy stems that become grayish-brown with age, it forms a distinctive upright shrub shape. Its leathery green leaves are glabrous with petioles 8 to 12 millimeters long, arranged alternately along the branches. The shrub develops smooth, reddish bark that peels with age, creating a characteristic manzanita appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 20 sympatric species; erect habit with smooth leaves and glabrous surfaces
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral
Elevation: 150-1000 m
California counties: Napa, Sonoma, Monterey, Contra Costa, Trinity, Lake, Mendocino
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. stanfordiana blooms Feb-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 stanfordiana subsp. stanfordiana native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. stanfordiana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. stanfordiana bloom?
Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. stanfordiana blooms Feb-Apr.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. stanfordiana grow?
Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. stanfordiana occurs in Napa, Sonoma, Monterey, Contra Costa, Trinity, Lake, Mendocino, at elevations of 150-1000 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. stanfordiana belong to?
Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. stanfordiana is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
What habitat does Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. stanfordiana grow in?
Arctostaphylos stanfordiana subsp. stanfordiana grows in Chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.