Arctostaphylos viridissima
White-haired manzanita, White-Haired Manzanita, white-haired manzanita, white-haired manzanita
(c) Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Arctostaphylos viridissima (White-haired manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by dense white hairs on reproductive parts are distinctive.
White-haired manzanita is a rare (CNPS 4.2) California native shrub found in the eastern Santa Cruz Island bioregion in chaparral and closed-cone conifer forest on shale outcrops at elevations of 100 to 550 meters. Flowering from January to March, this plant produces white to pale pink flowers in small, pendulous racemes, with delicate white hairs covering the nascent inflorescence. Growing erect and reaching 1 to 4 meters tall, it features distinctive bright green, shiny leaves that are narrowly to oblong-ovate with truncate bases and soft-pointed tips. Its leaves are 2 to 3.5 centimeters long, initially puberulent and becoming glabrous with age, and are arranged in an overlapping pattern along white-haired branches. The fruit is nearly spherical, 10 to 15 millimeters wide, and sparsely covered with non-glandular hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; dense white hairs on reproductive parts are distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Shale outcrops, chaparral, closed-cone conifer forest
Elevation: 100-550 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos viridissima blooms Jan-Mar.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 viridissima native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos viridissima is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos viridissima bloom?
Arctostaphylos viridissima blooms Jan-Mar.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos viridissima grow?
Arctostaphylos viridissima occurs in Santa Barbara, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, at elevations of 100-550 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos viridissima belong to?
Arctostaphylos viridissima is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Is Arctostaphylos viridissima rare or endangered?
Arctostaphylos viridissima carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S4.
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.