SafePlants

Pallid Manzanita (Arctostaphylos pallida)

Arctostaphylos pallida, commonly known as Pallid Manzanita, Oakland Hills Manzanita, or Alameda Manzanita, is a distinctive shrub found in specific regions of California.

Considerations for Pets

• Manzanita shrubs, in general, have woody stems and leaves.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Arctostaphylos pallida Eastw.
• Common Names: Pallid Manzanita, Oakland Hills Manzanita, Alameda Manzanita
• Family: Ericaceae (Heath family)

Distribution and Habitat

• Arctostaphylos pallida has a very limited distribution in chaparral habitats.
• It is found primarily on Sobrante Ridge in El Sobrante and around Huckleberry Preserve in Oakland, California.
• Specifically, it thrives in siliceous shale soils in these areas.
• There are only 13 known populations left in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

Morphology and Growth

• Arctostaphylos pallida is described as an upright shrub.
• It can grow up to 4 meters (13 feet) in height.
• It is a perennial plant, meaning it grows for more than two years.

Ecological Role

• The species is considered endangered and threatened, partially due to alteration of fire regimes and the presence of non-native plants.
• It is a fire-adapted shrub.

Subspecies

• The text mentions other subspecies within the Arctostaphylos genus, including Arctostaphylos subsp. eastwoodiana (Eastwood's Brittleleaf Manzanita) and Arctostaphylos subsp. subcordata (Santa Cruz Island Manzanita).

Quirky Facts

• The text mentions a standing record for manzanita height at 32 feet, observed in Tilden Regional Park. While not specific to Arctostaphylos pallida, it provides an interesting point of comparison for the species' typical size.

Further Information

• The Discover Life website offers a page dedicated to the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Arctostaphylos pallida.
• CalPhotos provides images of Arctostaphylos pallida.