Ericaceae: All members are perennial and include wintergreen, pipe plant, blueberry, cranberry, azalea and rhododendron. Flower structure varies widely within the family with one unique feature: the anthers release pollen from a small pore at the tip rather than through slit openings as in most other families.  This pore is often accompanied by a whisker-like appendage that when disturbed by a bee, shakes pollen onto it like a salt shaker (Clarke).  The genus Arctostaphylos (Manzanita) has only 2 species in Orange County, but over 38 native to California.  They are perennial shrubs in chaparral with smooth, dark chestnut-red stems and branches.  The bark exfoliates seasonally.  The manzanita leaf-gall aphid (Tamalia coweni) causes numerous conspicuous green or reddish roll galls on the edges of leaves (Clarke).

Comarostaphylis - Xylococcus comparisons:

Comarostaphylis diversifolia L, Xylococcus bicolor R, Santiago Tr. Tr., 2-28-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.


Comarostaphylis diversifolia L, Xylococcus bicolor R, Santiago Tr. Tr., 2-28-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.

Comarostaphylis diversifolia L, Xylococcus bicolor R, Santiago Tr. Tr., 2-28-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.

Comarostaphylis diversifolia T, Xylococcus bicolor B, Santiago Tr. Tr., 2-28-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.

Arctostaphylos glauca vs. glandulosa comparisons:

Arctostaphylos glauca L, glandulosa R, Elsinore Peak & Vic., 3-17-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.

Arctostaphylos glauca L, glandulosa R, Elsinore Peak & Vic., 3-17-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.