Arctostaphylos pumila

Arctostaphylos pumila is a species of manzanita known by the common name Sandmat Manzanita. This shrub is endemic to California where it grows on the coastline near Monterey. This is a petite, low-lying manzanita which forms flat bushes and patchy, creeping mats in sandy soil. The branch tips will take root as it spreads. The bark is reddish and tends not to shred. The leaves are small and mainly oval-shaped, dark green on the upper surface and grayish and fuzzy beneath. The flowers appear in sparse flower clusters and are white to very pale pink. The fruit is a round brownish drupe about half a centimeter wide. In the wild this plant derives a lot of moisture from fog but does not like salt spray directly on it.