Arctostaphylos obispoensis is a species of manzanita, known by the common names bishop manzanita and serpentine manzanita, endemic to California."Field Guide to Manzanitas," Michael Kauffmann, Tom Parker, & Michael Vasey, Backcountry Press, 2015, , page 98.
Distribution The plant is endemic to the southern Santa Lucia Mountains, in the Central Coast region of California. It is found primarily in San Luis Obispo County, and extends into southern Monterey County.Calflora: Distribution map
It grows in chaparral and closed-cone pine forest habitats, usually on serpentine soil. It is found at elevations of .Jepson
Conservation It is protected within the Cuesta Ridge Botanical Special Interest Area of the Los Padres National Forest, growing in the endemic Sargent cypress (Cupressus sargentii) forest. Los Padres National Forest: Cuesta Ridge Botanical Special Interest Area The species is listed on the California Native Plant Society Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants as a rare but not currently endangered species.CNPS, Rare Plant Program. 2016. Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants (online edition, v8-02). California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. — Arctostaphylos obispoensis . accessed 1.16.2016.
Description Arctostaphylos obispoensis is an upright shrub or multi-trunked tree growing to in height.
The small branches and newer leaves are woolly. The mature leaves are glaucous-gray, hairless, and oblong (northern range) to widely lance-shaped (southern range), and up to 4.5 centimeters long.
The inflorescence is a dense cluster of white urn-shaped and downward facing "manzanita" flowers.
The red fruit is a round waxy drupe, in diameter.
See also Arctostaphylos luciana — range adjacent on west side of Cuesta Ridge Arctostaphylos pilosula — range adjacent on east side of Cuesta Ridge
References
External links Calflora Database: Arctostaphylos obispoensis (Bishop manzanita, Serpentine manzanita) Jepson Manual eFlora (TJM2) treatment of Arctostaphylos obispoensis USDA Plants Profile for Arctostaphylos obispoensis (serpentine manzanita) UC Photos gallery — Arctostaphylos obispoensis