Arctostaphylos crustacea is a species in the Ericaceae (Heath) family known by the common name Woollyleaf Manzanita. It was formerly considered a subspecies of A. tomentosa but has recently been elevated to species status. A. tomentosa remains as a distinct species. This shrub is endemic to California where it is a resident of chaparral canyons, foothills, and lower-elevation mountains from the San Francisco Bay region to Los Angeles County. One specialized habitat in which it is found is the Monterey Cypress forests at Point Lobos and Del Monte Forest in Monterey County, California. This is a low-lying, spreading Manzanita, generally quite a bit wider than it is tall. It is a variable species with six recognized subspecies. Some of the subspecies can vary in appearance across individuals. The stems may be red or gray or both, with smooth, rough, or shreddy bark, hairless to quite bristly. The leaves may be oval to lance-shaped and sometimes toothed, but the upper surface is generally darker and shinier than the lower. The flowers are white to pink and may be hairy or hairless inside. The fruits are fuzzy reddish drupes under a centimeter in diameter.