Arctostaphylos viscida subsp. mariposa
Mariposa manzanita, Mariposa Manzanita
Photo: parent species Arctostaphylos viscida · (c) John Hibbard, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Arctostaphylos viscida subsp. mariposa (Mariposa manzanita) is a native California shrub / tree in the Ericaceae family, recognized by glandular-bristly ovaries and fruits distinguish from other viscida subspecies.
Mariposa manzanita is a California native shrub found in the Sierra Nevada mountain ranges in openings within chaparral and forest habitats at elevations of 400 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces white to pink flowers in small clusters with distinctive glandular-bristly features. Growing with densely glandular-hairy twigs to approximately one to two meters tall, it forms a characteristic manzanita branching structure. Its leaves are sparsely short-glandular-hairy with scabrous surfaces, often with ciliate margins and papillate texture. The fruit is covered in glandular bristles, adding to the plant's unique textural characteristics.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; glandular-bristly ovaries and fruits distinguish from other viscida subspecies
Habitat and range
Habitat: Openings in chaparral, forest
Elevation: 400-2200 m
California counties: Kern, Fresno, Calaveras, Mariposa, Tulare, Tuolumne, Madera, El Dorado, Amador, Trinity, Merced, Butte, Nevada, Contra Costa, San Joaquin, Mendocino, Shasta
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos viscida subsp. mariposa 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 viscida subsp. mariposa native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos viscida subsp. mariposa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos viscida subsp. mariposa bloom?
Arctostaphylos viscida subsp. mariposa blooms Feb-Apr.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos viscida subsp. mariposa grow?
Arctostaphylos viscida subsp. mariposa occurs in Kern, Fresno, Calaveras, Mariposa, Tulare, Tuolumne, Madera, El Dorado and other counties, at elevations of 400-2200 m.
What plant family does Arctostaphylos viscida subsp. mariposa belong to?
Arctostaphylos viscida subsp. mariposa is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
What habitat does Arctostaphylos viscida subsp. mariposa grow in?
Arctostaphylos viscida subsp. mariposa grows in Openings in chaparral, forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Arctostaphylos viscida subsp. pulchella
- Arctostaphylos viscida subsp. viscida
- Arctostaphylos andersonii — Anderson's manzanita
- Arctostaphylos auriculata — Mount diablo manzanita
- Arctostaphylos bakeri — Baker's manzanita
- Arctostaphylos bakeri subsp. bakeri — Baker's manzanita
- Cassiope mertensiana — White heather
- Cassiope sp. — Moss heather
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.