Virginia Tech Dendrology

green manzanita Ericaceae Arctostaphylos patula Greene symbol: ARPA6
Leaf: Alternate, simple, persistent; 1 to 2 inches long, leathery, and ovate to elliptical; entire margins, green and smooth on both surfaces, often orient themselves perpendicular to the sun's rays.
Flower: Perfect, urn-shaped, pinkish-white and borne in small terminal clusters.
Fruit: Small (1/4 inch in diameter), round, smooth, berry-like drupe that resembles a tiny apple, reddish brown to black.
Twig: Mature twigs are smooth and dark reddish brown.
Bark: Smooth and brown on young stems but dark reddish brown and exfoliating on older stems.
Form: A moderate-sized bushy evergreen shrub (growing to 6 feet) with stiff, gnarly branches.
Looks like: hairy manzanita - kinnikinick - whiteleaf manzanita

Additional Range Information: Arctostaphylos patula is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information