There are about 60 species of manzanitas in all, ranging from prostrate, ground-hugging species to small trees up to 16 feet tall. All belong to the genus Arctostaphylos and are in the family Ericaceae. The generic name is derived from arkto (meaning bear) and staphyle (meaning grape) most probably because of the American black bears' affinity to eating the berries in the fall.
Five species can be found at the UC Hopland Research & Extension Center ... they are: A.canescens (Hoary Manzanita), A.glandulosa (Eastwood manzanita), A.Manzanita (Common Manzanita), A.stanfordiana (Stanford manzanita), and A. viscida (white-leafed manzanita). One important rare subspecies also occurs here... the Sonoma Manzanita (A.c.sonomensis).
Being an early bloomer, the white or pinkish bell-shaped flowers can be found as early as January, and the flowers' nectar provides an important food source for over-wintering hummingbirds.
