Taxon Report

Arctostaphylos pilosula Jeps. & Wies.

Santa Margarita manzanita

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Species Description:
Arctostaphylos pilosula, commonly known as Santa Margarita manzanita, is a perennial evergreen shrub in the Ericaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Broadleafed upland forest, Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, and Closed-cone coniferous forest, growing at elevations from 75 to 1100 meters. Arctostaphylos pilosula is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

  Classification

Scientific Name:
Arctostaphylos pilosula Jeps. & Wies.
Common Name:
Santa Margarita manzanita
Family: Ericaceae
Element Code: PDERI042Z0
USDA Plants Symbol: ARPI
Synonyms/Other Names:
  • Arctostaphylos wellsii Knight
  • Arctostaphylos pilosula Jeps. & Wies. ssp. pismoensis Wells
  • Arctostaphylos pilosula Jeps. & Wies. ssp. pilosula

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial evergreen shrub
Blooming Period: Dec-May Dec-May
Elevation: 75-1100 (245-3610)
General Habitats: Broadleafed upland forest, Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Closed-cone coniferous forest
Microhabitat: Sandstone (sometimes)
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 58
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 5
   Good (B) 5
   Fair (C) 4
   Poor (D) 6
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 38
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
San Luis Obispo (SLO)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Arroyo Grande NE (3512025), Atascadero (3512046), Caldwell Mesa (3512023), Huasna Peak (3512013), La Panza (3512032), Lopez Mtn. (3512035), Morro Bay South (3512037), Nipomo (3512014), Oceano (3512015), Pismo Beach (3512026), Port San Luis (3512027), Pozo Summit (3512033), San Luis Obispo (3512036), Santa Margarita Lake (3512034), Tar Spring Ridge (3512024)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 13
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
24 41 %
Development 14 24%
Road/trail construction/maint. 7 12%
ORV activity 5 8%
Wood cutting or brush clearing 4 6%
Grazing 3 5%
Mining 3 5%
Non-native plant impacts 2 3%
Erosion/runoff 2 3%
Other 2 3%
Improper burning regime 2 3%
Agriculture 1 1%
Dam/Inundation 1 1%
Hybridization 1 1%

Notes

Threatened by development, road construction, road maintenance, vehicles, vegetation clearing, and non-native plants. Plants from the coastal sector of the San Luis Range and Arroyo Grande drainage in SLO Co. were previously treated as A. wellsii. See Erythea 8:101 (1938) for original description.
Threats:
Taxonomy:
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 15 January 2025].