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Plant Profile

Rainbow Manzanita (Arctostaphylos rainbowensis)

Arctostaphylos rainbowensis—Rainbow manzanita. Included in the CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants on list 1B.1 (rare, threatened, or endangered in CA and elsewhere). "Rainbowensis" means "in the vicinity of Rainbow." Rainbow is a small town in northern San Diego county. Photographed at Regional Parks Botanic Garden located in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, CA Photo Credit: John Rusk © 2016
  • Global Rank: G2 - Imperiled
  • Legal Status: N/A
  • Family: Ericaceae
  • State: CA
  • Nature Serve ID: 131451
  • Lifeform: Shrub
  • Date Inducted in National Collection:
Description:

Named after the nearby town that this species is found, Arctostaphylos rainbowensis, is particularly more resilient than other species of Manzanita. Located between mountain ranges near Rainbow, CA (south of Temecula), its natural occurences are often threatened by agricultural development and wildfires. Either way, the Rainbow Manzanita, is known to quickly reestablish new sprouts on disturbed sites created by these factors.

Where is Rainbow Manzanita (Arctostaphylos rainbowensis) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Growing into 1-4m tall erect shrubs, A. rainbowensis can be found on rocky regions of acid igneous rock amidst other species of chaparral. From its purple limbs, white blooms occur in the winter months (Dec-March).

Distribution:

Despite its resilience, its restricted range of distribution is the key factor behind its Imperiled status: the Aqua Tibia Mountains to the east and the Santa Margarita Mountains to the west. This shrub has also been observed in Temecula, Morro Hill, and Valley Center (CNPS 2011).

States & Provinces:

Rainbow Manzanita can be found in California

Which CPC Partners conserve Rainbow Manzanita (Arctostaphylos rainbowensis)?

CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

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Nomenclature
Taxon Arctostaphylos rainbowensis
Authority J.E. Keeley & Massihi
Family Ericaceae
CPC Number 44563
ITIS 507811
USDA ARRA7
Duration Perennial
Common Names Rainbow Manzanita
Associated Scientific Names Arctostaphylos rainbowensis | Arctostaphylos peninsularis subsp. keeleyi
Distribution Despite its resilience, its restricted range of distribution is the key factor behind its Imperiled status: the Aqua Tibia Mountains to the east and the Santa Margarita Mountains to the west. This shrub has also been observed in Temecula, Morro Hill, and Valley Center (CNPS 2011).
State Rank
State State Rank
California S2
Ecological Relationships

Photos

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