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whiteleaf manzanita
Scientific Name: Arctostaphylos manzanita ssp. manzanita
Family: Ericaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Shrub
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Arctostaphylos manzanita and Arctostaphylos viscida: A Closer Look at Whiteleaf Manzanita
This page explores two species of Manzanita: Arctostaphylos manzanita and Arctostaphylos viscida, both known by the common name Whiteleaf Manzanita. These evergreen shrubs are native to specific regions and play a role in their respective ecosystems.
Considerations for Pets
- Both species are shrubs that may have branches accessible to pets.
- Arctostaphylos viscida is referred to as "sticky manzanita" which indicates a substance on the plant's surface that may adhere to fur or skin.
Considerations for Children
- Both species are shrubs that may have branches accessible to children.
- Arctostaphylos viscida is referred to as "sticky manzanita" which indicates a substance on the plant's surface that may adhere to skin.
Common Names
- Arctostaphylos manzanita: Common Manzanita, Whiteleaf Manzanita
- Arctostaphylos viscida: Whiteleaf Manzanita, Sticky Manzanita, Blue Bearberry
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Family: Ericaceae (Heath)
- Order: Ericales
- Class: Magnoliopsida (Magnoliopsida)
- Division: Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
- Arctostaphylos manzanita subspecies: Arctostaphylos manzanita ssp. manzanita, Arctostaphylos manzanita ssp. laevigata
- Synonyms (for Arctostaphylos viscida): Arctostaphylos viscida Parry
- Alternate Names: Sticky whiteleaf manzanita
Distribution and Habitat
- Arctostaphylos manzanita ssp. manzanita grows in Northern, Southern, and Central California, primarily in the North.
- Arctostaphylos viscida grows from Kern County, California, north to about the Oregon border and is a local native in that area. It is found on dry, sunny slopes at low to mid-elevations, primarily in chaparral, oak woodlands, and mixed-conifer forests. It is also found on mountain slopes, roadsides, and serpentine barrens.
Ecological Role
- Whiteleaf manzanita can engage in competitive interactions with other plants like herbs, Douglas-fir, and ponderosa pine.
- Sclerophyll shrubs such as Arctostaphyllos viscida are sometimes considered obstacles to afforestation.
Morphological Characteristics
- Arctostaphylos manzanita is an evergreen shrub growing to 2 meters (6 feet) in height and width.
- Arctostaphylos viscida is a treelike shrub, with smooth, dark red-brown bark and hairless stems with young twigs that are pale green coated with white. It can grow to be an erect, 6-12 ft. shrub, with long, crooked branches.
- Arctostaphylos viscida leaves are alternate, simple, and persistent and small (1 to 1 inch).
Growth Habits
- Arctostaphylos manzanita is in leaf in January and flowers from February to April.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Arctostaphylos manzanita commonly hybridizes.
Further Information
- Discover Life offers information about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Arctostaphylos viscida.
- iNaturalist.org provides classification information for Arctostaphylos manzanita ssp. manzanita.
- The American Forests National Tree Register lists a champion Whiteleaf Manzanita in Oregon.