Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Ericaceae

Genus:

Arctostaphylos

Species:

Arctostaphylos manzanita subsp. elegans

Growth Characteristics

Growth Habit:

Tree , Shrub

Height:

180 cm

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

jan,feb,mar,apr

Bloom Colors:

white, pink

Evergreen Shrub:

Yes

Landscaping Shrub:

Yes

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:

★★☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, bees, butterflies, small mammals

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts vigorously from basal burls after fire. Scarification by fire heat enhances seed germination. Common in post-fire chaparral succession.

Source: Claude claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929 Batch

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days

Scarification:

Seed coat scarification required before sowing

Germination Time:

30–120 days

Notes:

Seeds have extremely hard seed coats requiring scarification by fire, hot water treatment, or mechanical abrasion. Germination may be erratic even with proper treatment.

Source: Claude claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929 Batch