Arctostaphylos montana

Common Names

Mt Tamalpais Manzanita, Mount Tamalpais Manzanita, Tamalpais Manzanita, Presidio Manzanita

Summary

Mount Tamalpais manzanita is a shrub native to California and endemic to the San Francisco Bay Area, including Mount Tamalpais and the Presidio. It is evergreen with dark green, shiny leaves that are alternate; young leaves may be puberulent and mature leaves glabrous, with a rounded to wedge-shaped base and an acute tip with entire margins; it bears pink to white flowers in panicles (1–3-branched) and spherical, glabrous fruits, and it supports wildlife such as hummingbirds, bees, caterpillars, and butterflies.

In cultivation, Mount Tamalpais manzanita prefers full sun to light shade and decent drainage; the ravenii subspecies, known as the Presidio manzanita, is federally endangered. It is drought-tolerant once established but benefits from occasional deep watering, especially in warmer areas.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6-12 inches

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Decent drainage

Bloom Color

White to Pink

Bloom Time

Late winter through winter

Foliage Color

Dark green, gray-green

Fall Foliage Color

Dark green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Seasons of Interest

Winter and Spring

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, birds