Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Arctostaphylos tomentosa is a species of manzanita known by the common name woollyleaf manzanita or woolley manzanita. This shrub is endemic to California. It is a resident of chaparral canyons, foothills, and lower-elevation mountains. One specialized habitat in which Arctostaphylos tomentos 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 and even 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. Subspecies. There are many subspecies:Arctostaphylos tomentos subsp. bracteosa - uncommon subspecies from the vicinity of Monterey Arctostaphylos tomentos subsp. crinita - from the southern San Francisco Bay AreaArctostaphylos tomentos subsp. crustacea - (brittleleaf manzanita), widespreadArctostaphylos tomentos subsp. daciticola - (dacite manzanita), from San Luis Obispo County. Arctostaphylos tomentos subsp. eastwoodiana - from Santa Barbara CountyArctostaphylos tomentos ssp. hebeclada - from southwestern Santa Cruz Mountains. Arctostaphylos tomentos subsp. insulicola - (island-loving manzanita), scattered in the Channel IslandsArctostaphylos tomentos subsp. rosei - (rosy manzanita), from the central and northern coastsArctostaphylos tomentos subsp. subcordata - (Santa Cruz Island manzanita), restricted to the Channel IslandsArctostaphylos tomentos subsp. tomentosa - found along the Central Coast.

Plant type

Shrub

Size

3 - 10 ft Tall

Dormancy

Evergreen

Calscape icon
Color

Pink, White, Red

Special uses

Deer resistant

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Plant communities

Chaparral, Closed-cone Pine Forest

Hummingbirds
Bees
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

1 confirmed and 52 likely

Confirmed Likely

Mendocino Silk Moth

Saturnia mendocino

Acronicta perdita

Aethaloida packardaria