Flora of North America species comparison

Arctostaphylos patula is abundant and widespread in western North America as a dominant in montane chaparral, pine forest gaps, and high-elevation arid-steppe and canyon-land environments. Populations throughout western North America are characterized by twigs and inflorescence parts covered with relatively short hairs tipped with golden glands. In the central to northern Sierra Nevada, mixed with the widespread form are individuals that are eglandular and have a cover of relatively short, whitish hairs on the stems and inflorescences. Similarly, throughout most of its range, A. patula is nonsprouting after fire, and in areas characterized by winter snow cover it layers and creates broad, low mounds. In much of California, it typically sprouts after fires from obscure and flattened burls, forming circles of erect sprouts.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Of conservation concern.

A distinctive species with an uncertain origin, Arctostaphylos pacifica has often been relegated to hybrid status and ignored; it displays a number of unique characters not found in any other species. It is found only at one location, San Bruno Mountain, the northern part of the Santa Cruz Mountains, San Mateo County. The relationships of this species need additional study.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)