Virginia Tech Dendrology

pointleaf manzanita Ericaceae Arctostaphylos pungens Kunth symbol: ARPU5
Leaf: Alternate, simple, evergreen, ovate to elliptical, 1 to 1 1/2 inches long, leathery, entire margins, pointed at tip and generally rounded at base, blue green above and below, 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 early spring.
Fruit: Small, 1/4 inch round, brick red, berry-like drupe that resembles a tiny apple, maturing in the summer and persistent.
Twig: Young twigs are yellow green and hairy, later they become dark red and smooth, buds are small and pointy.
Bark: Commonly exfoliating to reveal a smooth, glossy, reddish brown, very attractive bark.
Form: A thicket forming, large bush (up to 8 feet) with numerous crooked branches, typically a bit more upright with a narrower crown than most other manzanitas.
Looks like: bigberry manzanita

Additional Range Information: Arctostaphylos pungens 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