This soil environment is extremely hostile to the growth of most plants. Ione manzanita commonly grows in pure stands. At the edge of these stands there may be a transition zone where Ione manzanita and whiteleaf manzanita coexist. Other dominant plants of the region include chamise, interior live oak and foothill pine. The other dwarf manzanita of the central Sierra foothills, Nissenan manzanita , Arctostaphylos nissenana , is known only from Eldorado and Tuolumne Counties and typically grows at higher elevations.
Nissenan manzanita has rough fibrous bark.
Nissenan manzanita leaves are pale green and dull. The bracts on the lower portion of the inflorescence of Nissenan manzanita are leaf like in shape. All the inflorescence bracts of Ione manzanita are small, scale-like and triangular. This is a U.S. Government computer system. Before continuing please read this Disclaimer , Privacy Policy , and Kid s Privacy Policy .