Ornithostaphylos

Ornithostaphylos

Apparently Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Subfamily: Arbutoideae
Genus: Ornithostaphylos
Small
Species:
O. oppositifolia
Binomial name
Ornithostaphylos oppositifolia
Synonyms[2]
  • Arctostaphylos oppositifolia Parry
  • Arctostaphylos polifolia Torr.
  • Arctostaphylos salicifolia Parry

Ornithostaphylos is a monotypic plant genus which contains the single species Ornithostaphylos oppositifolia, commonly known as the Baja California birdbush or Baja California manzanita.[1] A large, evergreen shrub in the heather family, this species is near-endemic to northwestern Baja California, with a small population just north of the border in San Ysidro, California. It produces a much-branched inflorescence of white, urn-shaped flowers, and has leathery leaves that appear opposite or in whorls.[3] These characteristics separate it from its close relatives in the region, which include manzanitas (Arctostaphylos), summer holly (Comarostaphylis) and mission manzanita (Xylococcus).[4]

  1. ^ a b "Ornithostaphylos oppositifolia". NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Ornithostaphylos oppositifolia". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  3. ^ Rebman, Jon P.; Roberts, Norman C. (2012). Baja California Plant Field Guide. San Diego: Sunbelt Publications. p. 228. ISBN 978-0-916251-18-5.
  4. ^ STEVENS, P. (2008-06-28). "A classification of the Ericaceae: subfamilies and tribes". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 64: 1–53. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.1971.tb02133.x. Retrieved 24 January 2022.