ITIS Basic Information
Common Name: Rainbow Manzanita
Scientific Name: Arctostaphylos rainbowensis
Species Code: ARCRAI
Management Category: VF (species with limited distribution in the MSPA or needing specific vegetation characteristics requiring management)
Occurrence Map

Historically present
Currently present
Currently not detected
Table of Occurrences

Current Distribution Rangewide

Peninsular Ranges of San Diego and Riverside County [1].

Known Populations in San Diego County

Five occurrences on Conserved Lands in MUs 8 (BLM, Margarita Peak, Rock Mountain Preserve, Santa Margarita River Park) and 9 (Cleveland National Forest).

List Status

None [2].

Habitat Affinities

Granitic outcrops and chaparral [1]. Elevation range is 150-800 meters.

Taxonomy and Genetics

Ericaceae family [3]. Previously called A. peninsularis ssp. peninsularis or considered a hybrid of A. glandulosa and A. glauca. Possibly hybridization with A. glandulosa at the edge of the A. rainbowensis range.

Life History Demography

Perennial evergreen shrub [2]. Burl-forming and vigorous at resprouting [3].

Seasonal Phenology

Bloom period is December-March [2].

Pollination Seed Dispersal

Produces large amount of fruits and readily establishes seedlings on sites disturbed by bulldozers or wildfires [3].

Threats

Development and agricultural conversion [2].

Special Considerations:

Flowers and fruits are often heavily infested with boring insects on the eastern edge of its range [3]. A. rainbowensis is the only Arctostaphylos species throughout most of its range.

Literature Sources

[1] Parker, V. T., M. C. Vasey, and J. E. Keeley 2016. Arctostaphylos rainbowensis, in Jepson Flora Project (eds.) Jepson eFlora, http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=76574, accessed on September 07, 2016

[2] CNPS, Rare Plant Program. 2016. Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants (online edition, v8-02). California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. http://www.rareplants.cnps.org, accessed 07 September 2016.

[3] Keeley, J. E., and A. Massihi. 1994. “Arctostaphylos Rainbowensis, a New Burl-Forming Manzanita from Northern San Diego County, California.” Madroño. Los Angeles, CA.