Sand Mesa Manzanita
(Arctostaphylos rudis )
Ericaceae

Photo Copyright 2002 J.S. Peterson. USDA NRCS NPDC

Description: Evergreen shrub 3.2 - 6.4 feet (1-2 meters) tall, and generally with a burl. Bark grayish to reddish-brown, rough, with densely matted hairs covering the twigs. Leaves elliptic shape with a wedge-shaped to rounded base, smooth edge, bright green, shiny, smooth surfaces, 3/8 - 1 1/8 inches (1-3cm) long, 3/8 - 3/4 inches (1-2cm) wide, and growing upward. Leaf stem is 1/8 - 5/16 inches (3-8mm) long. Inflorescence is a dense raceme, with scale-like, pear-shaped bracts, 1/16 - 1/4 inch (2-6mm) long. The flower stalks are 1/8 - 1/4 inch (3-6mm) long. The fruit are rounded nutlets with-out hairs, 5/16 - 1/2 inch (8-14mm) wide. 

Distribution:

Habitat: Sandy soils, chaparral. Elevation 80 - 736 feet.

Flowering Period: Blooms November to February.

Similar Plants:

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