SafePlants

Arctostaphylos tomentosa: Woollyleaf Manzanita

Arctostaphylos tomentosa, commonly known as woollyleaf manzanita or woolley manzanita, is an evergreen shrub found in specific regions.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant has small seeds, which could present a choking hazard for small animals.

Considerations for Children

• This plant has small seeds, which could present a choking hazard for small children.
• The plant can be a shrub or small tree.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Arctostaphylos tomentosa (Pursh) Lindley
• Common Names: Woollyleaf manzanita, Woolley manzanita, Woolly leaf manzanita, Hairy Manzanita, Downy Manzanita, Wooly Manzanita
• Family: Ericaceae (Heath)
• Taxonomic Rank: Includes subspecies such as Arctostaphylos tomentosa ssp. tomentosa and Arctostaphylos tomentosa ssp. eastwoodiana
• Synonyms/Related Species: Mentions related species such as Arctostaphylos crustacea, Arctostaphylos andersonii, Arctostaphylos columbiana, Arctostaphylos bakeri &#39Louis Edmunds&#39, Arctostaphylos densiflora, Arctostaphylos pungens, Arctostaphylos patula and Arctostaphylos Rosei tomentosa

Distribution and Habitat

• Endemic to specific regions, including pine forests of Cambria and throughout pine forests up into the Bay area.
• Also found from British Columbia to California.
• Often associated with Maritime Chaparral and Brittle leaf-Woolly leaf manzanita chaparral.

Morphological Characteristics

• Can grow as a shrub or small tree, up to 15 ft.
• Has smooth red bark when mature; young twigs are sparsely white-woolly.
• Leaves are leathery and shiny when mature, with lightly woolly new leaves and smaller twigs. The underside of the leaves is covered with woolly fuzz.
• Inflorescence is a spherical cluster of urn-shaped manzanita flowers.

Quirky Facts

• The text mentions the wood of some *Arctostaphylos* species is used for furniture.