Santa Margarita Manzanita
(Arctostaphylos pilosula )
Ericaceae

Photo Copyright 1993 David Graber

Description: Evergreen shrub 3.2 - 6.4 feet (1-2meters) tall, with fine, dense, matted hairs on twigs. Leaves 3/8 - 1 1/8 inches (1-3cm) long, 3/8 - 3/4 inches (1-2cm) wide, round to pear-shaped, with a base more straight across than rounded, or slightly lobed, and a pointy tip. Leaves also smooth edged, with dull and smooth surfaces, and covered with a whitish film. Leaf stems are 1/4 - 5/16 inches (5-8mm) long. Inflorescence are racemes with leaf-like, spear-shaped bracts, 3/8 - 5/8 inches (10-15mm) long, with bristles; and conic shaped (wide base tapering to a narrow tip) flowers, 3/8 inches (8-9mm) long. Flower stems are hairless, 1/8 inch (2-3mm) long. Fruit are red-brown, 3/8 inch (8-10mm) wide.

Distribution:

Habitat: Shale outcrops, slopes, chaparral. Elevation 544 - 3520 feet.

Flowering Period: Blooms December - March.

Similar Plants:

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