Scientific Family
Ericaceae
Synonyms
A. chaloneorum, A. pseudopungens, A. pungens subsp. chaloneorum, A. pungens var. chaloneorum, A. pungens var. mexicana, A. pungens var. claloneorum
Other common names
manzanita
Mexican manzanita
Plant type
Shrubs
Riparian
No
Plant Description
Origin
Native
Similar species
Arctostaphylos pringlei
An erect growth pattern, often forming dense thickets. Beautiful peeling reddish-brown bark makes a striking contrast to the leathery evergreen foliage.
Shrubs with erect or ascending branches. Leaves smoother, darker green, more leather-like than Arctostaphylos pringlei, more or less pointed at both ends, typically up to 1/2 inch wide. Ovaries without hairs. Bracts less than 1/8 inch long.
Height
6 feet
Width
10 feet
Habitat
Habitat description
Rocky hillsides in the chaparral type and up to openings in the ponderosa communities.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Low elevation
3500
High elevation
8000
Leaves
Leaf color
Green to bluish-green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaf hairs
Top and bottom of leaves
Spines
No
Leaf Drop
Evergreen
Thick and leathery, elliptical, many fine hairs, pointed at both ends, to 1-1/2 inches long.
Flowers
Flower color
White to pink
Flower shape
Bell-shaped
Tubular
No
First bloom month
February
Last bloom month
May
White to pink, nodding and bell-shaped to 1/4 inch long in clusters at the tips of branches.
Flower clusters
Rounded
Fruit
Fruit color
Reddish-brown
Fruit type
Berry-like
Resembles a miniature apple up to 1/4 inch in diameter.