familyEricaceae
subfamilyEricaceae subfam. Arbutoideae
genusArctostaphylos
speciesArctostaphylos manzanita
Arctostaphylos manzanita subsp. laevigata
Aliso 4: 95. 1958 ,.
Common names: Contra Costa manzanita
Endemic
Basionym: Arctostaphylos laevigata Eastwood Leafl. W. Bot. 1: 76. 1933
Plants killed by fire; burl absent; twigs glabrous or sparsely short-hairy. Leaf blades shiny green. Inflorescences: axis (few-branched), 1+ mm diam.; (branches to 15 mm in immature phase) Ovaries glabrous. Fruits glabrous. Stones distinct.
Phenology: Flowering winter–early spring.
Habitat: Chaparral, foothill woodlands
Elevation: 500-1100 m
Discussion
Subspecies laevigata is found on western (and possibly eastern) slopes of Mount Diablo, Contra Costa County. Plants resembling it occur in the southern North Coast Range in Napa and Solano counties but subtle features suggest that they are more closely allied with subsp. manzanita.
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
None.