Arctostaphylos pilosula is a species of manzanita, known by the common names La Panza manzanita and Santa Margarita manzanita, that is endemic to California."Field Guide to Manzanitas," Michael Kauffmann, Tom Parker, & Michael Vasey, Backcountry Press, 2015, , page 113.V. Thomas Parker, Michael C. Vasey & Jon E. Keeley 2014. Arctostaphylos pilosula, in Jepson Flora Project (eds.) Jepson eFlora. accessed 15 January 2016.
Its common names comes from populations on the La Panza Range, near the town of Santa Margarita.
Distribution The plant is endemic San Luis Obispo County, found in three areas: the La Panza Range, the east slope of the Santa Lucia Mountains near Atascadero, and in the San Luis Range near Pismo Beach.
It grows in chaparral and closed-cone pine forest habitats, on shale and sandstone outcrops and slopes. It is found at elevations of .
Description Arctostaphylos pilosula is an erect and bristly shrub growing in height.
The leaves are a round, oval shape and dull and hairless in texture. They grow up to long.
The shrub blooms in spherical white inflorescences of cone-shaped and downward facing "manzanita" flowers, each just under long. Its bloom period is December to March.
The fruit is a reddish-brown drupe about a centimeter wide, that ripen in the summer.
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.
References
External links
Calflora Database: Arctostaphylos pilosula (La Panza manzanita, Santa Margarita manzanita) Jepson Manual eFlora (TJM2) treatment of Arctostaphylos pilosula USDA Plants Profile for Arctostaphylos pilosula (La Panza manzanita) UC Photos gallery — Arctostaphylos pilosula