Arctostaphylos hookeri facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Arctostaphylos hookeri
ssp. franciscana
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Ericaceae
Genus:	Arctostaphylos
Species:	A. hookeri
Binomial name
Arctostaphylos hookeri G.Don

Arctostaphylos hookeri is a species of manzanita known by the common name Hooker's manzanita.

Description

Arctostaphylos hookeri is a low shrub which is variable in appearance and has several subspecies. These are generally mat-forming plants or low bushes with small green leaves, dense inflorescences of white to pink flowers, and shiny egg-shaped or round red drupes.

Distribution

The Arctostaphylos hookeri shrub is endemic to California where its native range extends from the coastal San Francisco Bay Area to the Central Coast.

Subspecies

There are several subspecies including:

• A. h. franciscana - Franciscan manzanita - It was named by Alice Eastwood and is native to the city of San Francisco. It was thought to be extinct in the wild until one specimen was discovered in 2009. Less than a month later, Caltrans transplanted this specimen to make way for the Doyle Drive Replacement Project. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated the Franciscan manzanita as an endangered species on October 5, 2012. The National Park Service and Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy are attempting to cross-pollinate the preserved specimen in order to reintroduce the subspecies in the wild.
• A. h. hearstiorum - Hearst's manzanita - native to San Luis Obispo County
• A. h. hookeri - grows in the Santa Cruz Mountains and nearby
• A. h. montana - Mt. Tamalpais manzanita - native to Mount Tamalpais
• A. h. ravenii - Presidio manzanita - one single plant and a few clones exist at the Presidio of San Francisco. Federally listed as an endangered species of the United States.