Nissenan Manzanita
(Arctostaphylos nissenana )
Ericaceae

Photo Copyright 1992 David Graber

Description: An evergreen shrub, 24 - 60 inches (0.6-1.5 m) in height, with rough, gray bark. Leaves are erect, smooth and gray with short stems and elliptic in shape.  They measure 3/8 - 3/4 inch (1-2 cm) across and 3/8 - 5/8 inches (0.8-1.5 cm) wide.  Inflorescense is a slender raceme, with upper bracts 1/8 - 1/4 inches (3-5 mm), and lower bracts 1/4 - 3/8 inches (5-9 mm).  Fruit is cylindric, 1/8 - 1/4 inches (3-4 mm) long and 1/16 - 1/8 inch (2-3 mm) wide.

Distribution: Found on open, rocky ridges in coniferous forest and chaparral from 1476 to 3609 feet (450-1100 meters).

Habitat: This species is known mostly from El Dorado County where there are a number of large stands.  The single small stand that occurs near Sonora in Tuolumne County is managed by BLM.  The area has been designated an Area of Critcal Environmental Concern (ACEC).

Flowering Period: February-March

Similar Plants:

Status: BLM Sensitive, California Native Plant Society List 1B