Virginia Tech Dendrology

shagbark manzanita Ericaceae Arctostaphylos rudis Jeps. & Wies. ex Jeps. symbol: ARRU2
Leaf: Alternate, simple, evergreen, elliptical to somewhat leanceolate, to 1 1/2 inches long, leathery, entire margins, pointed at tip and generally rounded at base, bright green above and below, initially hairy but becoming smooth with age, often they are arranged nearly vertically.
Flower: Perfect, urn-shaped, 1/4 inch long, pinkish-white, occurring in tightly grouped hanging cluster at the ends of twigs in late fall to winter.
Fruit: Small, 3/8 inch round, brick red, berry-like drupe that resembles a tiny apple, maturing in the summer and persistent.
Twig: Yellow green to purplish and pale hairy, buds are small and pointy.
Bark: Very rough, weathered gray strips peeling and flaking to reveal red underneath.
Form: A thicket-forming shrub to 7 feet tall and wide but commonly to only 2 feet tall, with numerous crooked branches.
Looks like: pointleaf manzanita

Additional Range Information: Arctostaphylos rudis is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDA Plants Database
All material 2021 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