Arctostaphylos montaraensis, known by the common name Montara manzanita, is a species of manzanita in the family Ericaceae.[1]
| Arctostaphylos montaraensis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Arctostaphylos |
| Species: | A. montaraensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Arctostaphylos montaraensis J.B. Roof[1]
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| Synonyms | |
|
Arctostaphylos imbricata Eastw. | |
Distribution
editThis perennial evergreen shrub is endemic to California, native only to a few occurrences in northern San Mateo County on San Bruno Mountain and Montara Mountain, northern extensions of the Santa Cruz Mountains.[1]
It is found at elevations of 80–500 metres (260–1,640 ft) on the two mountains, growing on decomposing granite and sandstone rock outcrops, in coastal chaparral and coastal sage scrub habitats.[1]
The plant is ranked as a critically endangered species by the California Native Plant Society Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of California, due to being threatened by new developments and off trail/road walking and vehicle (e.g. motorcycles, mountain bikes) habitat degradation.[3]
Description
editArctostaphylos montaraensis is a mounding to erect shrub that can grow to heights from 0.5 metres (1.6 ft) (on exposed granite outcrops) to 5 metres (16 ft). The multiple trunks and stems have a deep reddish−brown bark. The twigs and nascent inflorescence axis are coated in glandular bristles. The shrub has a dense foliage of light gray−green glandular leaves, rough and dull in texture, and up to 4 or 5 centimeters long.[2]
The inflorescence is a dense cluster of cone-shaped manzanita flowers, each white in color, and just under a centimeter long and with bristles inside.[2] The flowering period is January through March.[1]
The small "apple−like" (Spanish manzanita) red fruits are 6–7 millimetres (0.24–0.28 in) wide.
Cultivation
editArctostaphylos montaraensis is cultivated as a chaparral landscaping plant, for California native plant, drought tolerant, and natural habitat gardens.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e = Arctostaphylos+montaraensis Calflora: Arctostaphylos montaraensis
- ^ a b c = 13936 Jepson eFlora: Arctostaphylos montaraensis
- ^ California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2017; Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of California (online edition, v8-03 0.39): Arctostaphylos montaraensis report. accessed 5 May 2017.
- ^ Yerba Buena Nursery, native plant horticulture database: Arctostaphylos montaraensis
External links
edit- Calflora Database: Arctostaphylos montaraensis (Montara manzanita)
- Jepson Manual eFlora (TJM2) treatment of Arctostaphylos montaraensis
- USDA Plants Profile for Arctostaphylos montaraensis
- UC CalPhotos gallery of Arctostaphylos montaraensis images
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