Rank Species | Higher classification Arctostaphylos | |
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Similar Arctostaphylos imbricata, Arctostaphylos gabilanensis, Arctostaphylos montaraensis, Arctostaphylos cruzensis, Arctostaphylos confertiflora | ||
Arctostaphylos andersonii, the Santa Cruz manzanita, is a species of Arctostaphylos, limited in geography to the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. It grows in openings in redwood forest below 700 m.
Description
Arctostaphylos andersonii 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.