Arctostaphylos glauca (Bigberry Manzanita)


Credit: Amy Litt

Credit: Amy Litt

about the species

Arctostaphylos (manzanitas) are iconic plants of the California flora, particularly the chaparral. More than half the 109 species and subspecies are considered rare or threatened.

why species was selected

The big berry manzanita (A. glauca) genome sequence will be used as a reference to examine patterns of genetic diversity in six rare species (known from one or two populations in threatened habitats) for the CCGP project, and 80 percent of all rare taxa in a separate project. The data will allow us to identify geographic regions, habitats, and taxa most in need of conservation intervention and management.

Treescourtney miller