What is "arctostaphylos"

Arctostaphylos \Arctostaphylos\ n. 1. 1 a genus of plants including the bearberry; manzanita.

Syn: genus Arctostaphylos.

manzanita \man`za*ni"ta\ (m[a^]n`z[.a]*n[=e]"t[.a]), n. [Sp., dim. of manzana an apple.] (Bot.) A name given to several species of Arctostaphylos, but mostly to Arctostaphylos glauca and Arctostaphylos pungens, shrubs of California, Oregon, etc., with reddish smooth bark, ovate or oval coriaceous evergreen leaves, and bearing clusters of red berries, which are said to be a favorite food of the grizzly bear.

Arctostaphylos (; arkto bear + staphyle grape) is a genus of plants comprising the manzanitas and bearberries. They are shrubs or small trees.

There are about 60 species of Arctostaphylos, ranging from ground-hugging arctic, coastal, and mountain species to small trees up to 6 m tall. Most are evergreen (one species deciduous), with small oval leaves 1–7 cm long, arranged spirally on the stems. The flowers are bell-shaped, white or pale pink, and borne in small clusters of 2-20 together; flowering is in the spring. The fruit are small berries, ripening in the summer or autumn. The berries of some species are edible.

Arctostaphylos species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Coleophora arctostaphyli (which feeds exclusively on A. uva-ursi) and Coleophora glaucella.