Arctostaphylos

Arctostaphylos (/ˌɑːrktoʊˈstæfɪləs, -lɒs/; from ἄρκτος árktos "bear" and σταφυλή staphulḗ "bunch of grapes") is a genus of plants within the family Ericaceae. Many plants within the genus Arctostaphylos are also commonly called manzanitas(/ˌmænzəˈniːtəz/) or bearberries. There are 107 taxa within Arctostaphylos, 106 of which are found in the California Floristic Province. From prostrate shrubs to small erect trees, Arctostaphylos is known for characteristic red bark, urn-shaped flowers and being fire adapted .

Stem - Usually red-stemmed, Arctostaphylos can range from completely smooth to grey-shreddy bark.  In some species, stems can be found with tomentum, or hairs.

Burls or lignotubers are an enlarged stem base or root crown carrying dormant buds for resprouting post disturbance. About ⅓ of all species are Burl formers. Burls can be used to help identify down to the species level.

Leaves - Tending to grow alternately, all Arctostaphylos species are evergreen. A common step to help better identify down to the species level is by examining leaf surfaces.

For example, Arctostaphylos tomentosa has stomata only abaxially, while Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. glandulosa is bifacial, having similar surfaces on the top and bottom sides of the leaf.

Flowers - A characteristic feature of Arctostaphylos is its urn-like flowers. The corolla is usually composed of 5 fused petals. These flowers are very common in the clade Arbutoideae.

Fruit - Classified as a drupe, Arctostaphylos fruit is commonly spheric. The seeds found within the mealy mesocarp are often called stones.

The majority of Arctostaphylos species can be found within the California floristic province. One species, however, A. uva-ursi (common bearberry), is adapted to arctic and subarctic climates and has a circumpolar distribution in northern North America, Asia and Europe.