Arctostaphylos andersonii

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Arctostaphylos andersonii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Arctostaphylos
Species: A. andersonii
Binomial name
Arctostaphylos andersonii
A.Gray

Arctostaphylos andersonii (Santa Cruz Manzanita) is an endangered species of Arctostaphylos, limited in geography to the Santa Cruz Mountains, which grows in openings in redwood forest below 700 m.

It is a woody shrub 2-5 m high, which can resemble a small tree. The 4-7 cm smooth leaf blades have serrated edges and deeply lobed bases. It flowers February through May. The fruit is small (2-8 mm) and sticky.

The Santa Cruz Manzanita has no basal burl for regrowth and must propagate by seed.

Some populations closer to the Bonny Doon region are highly glaucous (the leaves produce a white, powdery substance on the surface) whereas others are not.

This species is often confused with A. regismontana, A. pallida, and A. pajaroensis, but can be easily identified by geography.

[edit] References