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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)?

  • California Botanic Garden

    Not Sponsored
    Assigned 06/09/17

  • San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

    Not Sponsored
    Assigned 06/13/17
    • 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.

    Conservation Actions

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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

    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

    Photo Credit: David Graber © 2003

    Photo Credit: EDAW © 2002

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