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Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Arctostaphylos hookeri (Hooker's manzanita)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Arctostaphylos hookeri

Arctostaphylos hookeri G. Don

Hooker's Manzanita, Monterey Manzanita

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: arho3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A low-growing shrub, 1-5 ft. high, with a mounded habit. Bark is smooth and reddish-brown. Leaves are light green. Inflorescences are small and few-flowered. The bell-shaped flowers are whitish-pink and are followed by bright red, glossy berries.

The species of this plant is named for William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865) who was Director of Kew Gardens from 1841-1865. He wrote “Flora boreali-americana” and many other works. He was founder and editor of the “Journal of Botany”.

 

From the Image Gallery

1 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Elliptic , Obovate , Ovate
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Apex: Mucronate
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Inflorescence: Raceme
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Height 1 to 5 feet, spread 6 to 8 feet.
Leaf: Bright green.
Flower: Flowers 1/4 inch.
Fruit: Reddish-brown 3/16 inch across.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr

Distribution

USA: CA
Native Distribution: Monterey Co., CA
Native Habitat: Sandy, coastal pine or oak woods

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Sandy soils.
Conditions Comments: Horticultural selections of this species are often available.

Benefit

Use Food: Manzanita berries were used to make a refreshing, cider-like drink by indigenous peoples.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds
Nectar Source: yes

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds , Softwood Cuttings
Description: Propagation by seed is can be difficult.
Seed Collection: The outer fleshy part of the furit may be removed by macering the fruits with water and separating the nutlets by flotation or air-screening.
Seed Treatment: Seeds of most Arctostaphylos species have hard seed coats and dormant embryos. Scarification (several hours in H2SO4) followed by stratification may improve germination.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Web Reference

Webref 37 - Calscape (2019) California Native Plant Society
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1987 VOL. 4, NO.2 - Wildflowers Provide Activity in Summer, Beautiful Colorado Beckons, What is Rese...

Additional resources

USDA: Find Arctostaphylos hookeri in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Arctostaphylos hookeri in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Arctostaphylos hookeri

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-04-03
Research By: TWC Staff

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