Arctostaphylos andersonii aka Santa Cruz Manzanita

Arctostaphylos andersonii is an evergreen shrub or small tree. Its common names include Santa Cruz manzanita and Anderson's manzanita. It also goes by the name heartleaf manzanita. It belongs to the heath family, Ericaceae. This species comes from California's Santa Cruz Mountains. These mountains lie in the western San Francisco Bay Area. Kew lists its native climate as subtropical. It is not native to Oregon, Britain, or Ireland.

Plants reach about 6–15 feet [1.8–4.6 metres] in height. They keep their broad leaves through the year. The bark is smooth and dark reddish brown. The twigs bear a dense coat of short bristles. Longer white bristles grow among these shorter ones. Some of the long bristles have glands at their tips. The smooth bark and bristly twigs offer contrasting textures. Both are useful features when checking the plant's identity.

The leaves grow in an alternate pattern along the stems. Each leaf is simple, rather than divided into leaflets. Leaves overlap one another and clasp the stem. They range from oblong to an elongated oval shape. Each measures about 4–7 centimetres long and 1.5–2.5 centimetres wide. Deep lobes at the base give a heart-like outline. This shape explains the common name heartleaf manzanita. The edges have teeth and may curve into a cup. The upper surface is hairless and curves outward. The lower surface differs from the upper one. Bristles may grow along its central vein. Each leaf has a stalk just a few millimetres long.

Pale pink flowers form close groups at the shoot tips. Each bloom has the shape of a small urn. Flowering extends from early spring into late spring. The fruit measures about 6–8 millimetres across. Fine bristles with glands cover its sticky surface. Spring flowers, evergreen leaves, and dark bark provide garden interest.

Grow this species in sun and soil that drains well. In hot places, shelter it from the afternoon sun. Oregon State also advises occasional summer watering in those conditions. Its profile lists hardiness to USDA Zone 8. The supplied sources give no species-specific pest or disease guidance. They also provide no evidence on edible uses or toxicity. Neither food use nor safety can be established from these accounts.