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The Manzanitas are a subgenus of the genus Arctostaphylos. They are evergreen shrubs or small trees present in the chaparral biome of western North America, where they occur from southern British Columbia in Canada, Washington to California and New Mexico in the United States, and throughout much of northern and central Mexico. They are characterised by smooth, orange or red bark and stiff, twisting branches. There are about 60 species of manzanita, ranging from ground-hugging coastal and mountain species to small trees up to 6m tall. Manzanitas bloom in the spring and carry berries in summer. The berries of some species are edible.
See also Bearberry for other species in the same genus.
The name manzanita is also sometimes used to refer to species in the related genus Arbutus, more usually known as madroño.
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