Taxon Report

Arctostaphylos otayensis Wies. & Schreib.

Otay manzanita

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Arctostaphylos otayensis, commonly known as Otay manzanita, is a perennial evergreen shrub in the Ericaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, and Cismontane woodland, growing at elevations from 275 to 1700 meters. Arctostaphylos otayensis is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Arctostaphylos otayensis Wies. & Schreib.
Common Name:	Otay manzanita
Family:	Ericaceae
Element Code:	PDERI040Y0
USDA Plants Symbol:	AROT
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial evergreen shrub
Blooming Period: Jan-Apr	Jan-Apr
Elevation:	275-1700 (900-5580)
General Habitats:	Chaparral, Cismontane woodland
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:	metavolcanic

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.2
Global Rank:	G1
State Rank:	S1
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	22
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	2
Good (B)	1
Fair (C)	2
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	17

Location


California Endemic: True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
San Diego (SDG)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Descanso (3211675), Dulzura (3211667), Jamul Mountains (3211668), Otay Mesa (3211658), Otay Mountain (3211657)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	8
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	6	27 %
Development	4	18%
Foot traffic/trampling	2	9%
Road/trail construction/maint.	2	9%
Altered flood/tidal/hydrologic regime	1	4%
Improper burning regime	1	4%
Non-native plant impacts	1	4%
Other	1	4%
Recreational use (non-ORV)	1	4%

Notes



Historical occurrences need field surveys. See Madroño 5(1):43 (1939) for original description.
Threats:
Threatened by development and frequent wildfires.
Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 22 February 2025].