Arctostaphylos auriculata

Shrubs, erect, 1–4.5 m; burl absent; twigs densely white-hairy with long, white hairs. Leaves: petiole to 2 mm; blade whitish gray, dull, oblong-ovate to orbiculate-ovate, 1.5–4.5 × 1.5–3 cm, base distinctly lobed, auriculate-clasping, margins entire, plane, surfaces smooth, gray-canescent, glabrescent. Inflorescences panicles, 3–5-branched; immature inflorescence pendent, (branches crowded, ± obscured by bracts), axis 1–1.5 cm, 1+ mm diam., densely white-hairy with long, white hairs; bracts somewhat appressed, leaflike, ovate to lanceolate-ovate, 5–15 mm, apex acute, surfaces canescent. Pedicels 4–10 mm, tomentose. Flowers: corolla white to pink, conic; ovary densely white-hairy. Fruits depressed-globose, 5–10 mm diam., short white-hairy, glabrescent. Stones distinct. 2n = 26.

Phenology: Flowering winter–early spring.
Habitat: Chaparral, open, closed-cone conifer forests
Elevation: 300-500 m

Calif.

Discussion

Of conservation concern.

Arctostaphylos auriculata is found on the western slopes of Mount Diablo in Contra Costa County.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa