Arctostaphylos tomentosa subsp. daciticola
Dacite manzanita, Dacite Manzanita, dacite manzanita
(c) Dean Wm. Taylor, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Arctostaphylos tomentosa subsp. daciticola (Dacite manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by sparse tomentose twigs vs dense glandular-bristly in other subspecies.
Dacite manzanita is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in southern Central Coast regions, specifically in the western Los Osos Valley of San Luis Obispo County, growing in chaparral at elevations of 200 to 300 meters. Flowering from December to March, this plant produces pale pink to white flowers in distinctive urn-shaped clusters that contrast beautifully with its smooth reddish bark. Growing as a dense, rounded shrub reaching 1 to 2 meters tall, it develops gnarled branches covered in a mix of short white hairs and soft tomentose surfaces. Its leaves are densely woolly on the undersides, creating a soft, gray-green appearance with oval to rounded shapes that provide texture and visual interest. The shrub's distinctive white-hairy twigs and tomentose foliage make it a unique and adaptable member of the California chaparral ecosystem.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 32 sympatric species; sparse tomentose twigs vs dense glandular-bristly in other subspecies
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral
Elevation: 200-300 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos tomentosa subsp. daciticola blooms Dec-Mar.
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 tomentosa subsp. daciticola native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos tomentosa subsp. daciticola is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos tomentosa subsp. daciticola bloom?
Arctostaphylos tomentosa subsp. daciticola blooms Dec-Mar.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos tomentosa subsp. daciticola grow?
Arctostaphylos tomentosa subsp. daciticola occurs in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, at elevations of 200-300 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos tomentosa subsp. daciticola belong to?
Arctostaphylos tomentosa subsp. daciticola is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Is Arctostaphylos tomentosa subsp. daciticola rare or endangered?
Arctostaphylos tomentosa subsp. daciticola carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
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.