Arctostaphylos purissima
Arctostaphylos purissima is a species of manzanita known by the common name La Purisima manzanita.
| Arctostaphylos purissima | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Arctostaphylos |
| Species: | A. purissima |
| Binomial name | |
| Arctostaphylos purissima P.V.Wells | |
Distribution
The plant is endemic to western Santa Barbara County, California, including in the Santa Ynez Mountains and near Lompoc and the location of Mission La Purísima Concepción.
It is a plant of the Coastal sage scrub chaparral habitats, on sandstone soils.
Description
Arctostaphylos purissima is a shrub reaching at least 1 metre (3.3 ft) in height, and known to exceed 4 metres (13 ft) tall. It varies in shape from low and spreading to tall and erect.
It is coated in long, white bristles and a dense foliage of shiny, hairless green leaves. Each leaf is round to oval in shape and smooth along the edges, and up to 2.5 centimeters long.
The inflorescence is a hanging cluster of spherical to urn-shaped manzanita flowers each about half a centimeter long.
The fruit is a hairless drupe between one half and one centimeter wide.
References
External links
- Jepson Manual Treatment - Arctostaphylos purissima
- USDA Plants Profile: Arctostaphylos purissima
- Arctostaphylos purissima - Photo gallery
