Arctostaphylos luciana is a species of manzanita known by the common name Santa Lucia manzanita, is endemic to California."Field Guide to Manzanitas," Michael Kauffmann, Tom Parker, & Michael Vasey, Backcountry Press, 2015, , page 77.
Distribution The woody plant is endemic to the southern Santa Lucia Mountains, in San Luis Obispo County.Calflora: Distribution map.Jepson Flora Project (eds.) 2014. Jepson eFlora, http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/IJM.html — Arctostaphylos luciana . accessed 15 January 2016.
It grows in coastal sage scrub chaparral habitats, on shale outcrops and slopes, from in elevation. It is found growing on ocean facing slopes in the upper boundary of the marine layer.
Description Arctostaphylos luciana is a shrub or small multi-trunked tree growing in height.
Its leaves are glaucous−gray, waxy and woolly to smooth and hairless, with smooth edges. They are base lobed (articulate), rounded to oval in shape, wide and long.
The inflorescence is a cluster of pink and white, hairless, urn-shaped and downward facing "manzanita" flowers. The bloom period is from February to March.
The fruit is a red to green-red drupe, up to wide.
Conservation The species is listed on the California Native Plant Society Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants as a fairly endangered and vulnerable species.CNPS, Rare Plant Program. 2016. Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants (online edition, v8-02). California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. — Arctostaphylos luciana . accessed 1.16.2016. Some populations are protected within the southern Cuesta Ridge Botanical Special Interest Area of the Los Padres National Forest. Los Padres National Forest: Cuesta Ridge Botanical Special Interest Area
See also Arctostaphylos obispoensis — range adjacent atop Cuesta Ridge Arctostaphylos pilosula — range nearby on east side of Cuesta Ridge
References
External links Calflora Database: Arctostaphylos luciana (Santa Lucia manzanita) Jepson Manual eFlora (TJM2) treatment of Arctostaphylos luciana USDA Plants Profile for Arctostaphylos luciana (Santa Lucia manzanita) UC Photos gallery — Arctostaphylos luciana