manzanita

American  

[man-zuh-nee-tuh] / ˌmæn zəˈni tə /

noun

1. any of several western North American shrubs or small trees belonging to the genus Arctostaphylos, of the heath family, having leathery leaves and clusters of white to pink flowers.

2. the fruit of one of these shrubs.

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Etymology

Origin of manzanita

1840–50, < Spanish, diminutive of manzana apple; see manchineel

Compare meaning

How does manzanita compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• madrone vs. manzanita

Example Sentences

“The garden goes dormant in the summer but doesn’t die. Drought-tolerant plants are survivors. The sugar bush, toyon, manzanita, coffee berry, ceanothus and hummingbird sage hold their vivid green color year-round,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 17, 2024

Hikers can see California buckwheat, arroyo willow, black sage, big berry manzanita and hairy ceanothus.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2024

On the slopes, manzanita bushes and blades of grass were poking through patches of what little snow had landed.

From New York Times • Dec. 28, 2023

Roomy garden placement, say at 11 and 3, ensures that the two specimen performers, the manzanita and the giant feather grass, won’t upstage one another.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 7, 2023

In the afternoon heat they snooze in the dusty dirt beneath that tangle of manzanita trees.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan