Arctostaphylos hookeri G. Don
Hooker's manzanita, Monterey manzanita
Ericaceae (Heath Family)
USDA Symbol: arho3
A low-growing shrub, 2-4 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
Plant CharacteristicsDuration: Perennial
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
Size Notes: Height 1/2 to 3 feet, spread 6 to 8 feet.
Leaf: Bright green.
Flower: Flowers 1/4 inch
Fruit: Reddish-brown 3/16 inch across.
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom InformationBloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr
Native Distribution: Monterey Co., CA
Native Habitat: Sandy, coastal pine or oak woods
Growing ConditionsLight 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.
BenefitUse Food: Manzanita berries were used to make a refreshing, cider-like drink by indigenous peoples.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Nectar Source: yes
Value to Beneficial InsectsSpecial Value to Native Bees
This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
PropagationPropagation 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 DirectoryAccording to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
BibliographyBibref 698 - Native Plants for Use in the California Landscape (1978) Labadie, E. L.
Bibref 1218 - Tending the Wild: Native American Knowledge and the Management of California's Natural Resources (2006) Anderson, M. Kat
Search More Titles in Bibliography
From the ArchiveWildflower Newsletter 1987 VOL. 4, NO.2 - Wildflowers Provide Activity in Summer, Beautiful Colorado Beckons, What is Rese...
Additional resourcesUSDA: Find Arctostaphylos hookeri in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Arctostaphylos hookeri in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Arctostaphylos hookeri
MetadataRecord Modified: 2008-10-20
Research By: TWC Staff