Virginia Tech Dendrology

bigberry manzanita Ericaceae Arctostaphylos glauca Lindl. symbol: ARGL4
Leaf: Alternate, simple, evergreen, 1 to 2 inches long, leathery, oval to ovate, entire margins, whitened bluish green on both surfaces, leaves are generally oriented upright.
Flower: Perfect, urn-shaped, pinkish white, appearing in terminal clusters in late winter and early spring.
Fruit: Round, sticky, 1/2 inch apple-like drupe, little pulp over a number of fused nutlets, ripen in late summer.
Twig: Smooth and green.
Bark: Very attractive, smooth and yellow to reddish brown on young stems, later developing exfoliating reddish patches.
Form: Large shrub or small tree to 25 feet tall, generally with several major crooked stems.
Looks like: whiteleaf manzanita - hairy manzanita - pointleaf manzanita

Additional Range Information: Arctostaphylos glauca 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