Pacific Mist (Arctostaphylos x media)

May 3

This manzanita is a naturally occurring hybrid species of a. columbiana and a. uva-ursi. It occurs in California, Oregon, and Washington where their ranges overlap. It is a perennial, low growing shrub that forms spreading mats similar to a. uva-ursi but can grow up to 3 feet tall. The leaves vary between green and glossy to light-green and fuzzy, but the undersides are distinctly hairy compared to a. columbiana and a. uva-ursi. It produces white urn shaped flowers in the spring and has reddish brown fruit in the fall. Its bark varies between pink and mahogany and peels like other manzanitas when mature. This hybrid manzanita was found along the Oregon coast in the town of Manzanita. It was growing on a sloping, sandy substrate along with California wax myrtle (Myrica califonica), Evergreen huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) and Shore pine (Pinus contorta). It was great seeing a. columbiana again in a coastal habitat!

A. columbiana and A. uva-ursi growing together

Mario Catani

Pacific Mist (Arctostaphylos x media)

Showy milkweed (Asceplias speciosa)

Pinesap (Monotropa hypopitys)