Arctostaphylos is from the Greek word arktos meaning bear and staphul meaning bunch of grapes. This genus of plants is found within the family Ericaceae, of the Order Ericales, of the Class Eudicotyledon, of the Phylum Angiosperm with in Plant Kingdom. Many of the plant species within the genus Arctostaphylos are also commonly called manzanitas which means bearberries.

Currently, there is 107 taxa within Arctostaphylos, of which 106 are found in the California Floristic Province. The species with this genus range from prostrate shrubs to small erect trees. Too, this genus is known for characteristic red bark, urn-shaped flowers and for being fire adapted.

The one odd species, A.uvaursi (common bearberry) is found in arctic and subarctic climates and has circumpolar distribution in NAM, ASI and EUR.

Usually red-stemmed, Arctostaphylos can range from completely smooth to grey-shreddy bark. In some species, stems can be found with tomentum, or hairs. Burls and/or lignotubers are an enlarged stem base or root crown carrying dormant buds for resprouting post disturbance.[5] About ? of all species are Burl formers.[4] Burls can be used to help identify down to the species level.

Leaves: tend to grow alternately, all Arctostaphylos species are evergreen. A common step to help better identify down to the species level is by examining leaf surfaces.

Flowers: a characteristic feature of Arctostaphylos is its urn-like flowers. The corolla is usually composed of 5 fused petals. These flowers are very common in the clade Arbutoideae.

Fruit: the fruit Arctostaphylos is classified as a drupe, and it is commonly spheric. The seeds found within the mealy mesocarp are often called stones.

Arctostaphylos can usually can be found on sites with poor soil. Mycorrhizal fungi are a large reason this genus can tolerate low nutrient conditions. Many of California′s shrublands experience a high intensity fire regime which habitually burn completely through stands of Manzanitas. Many of the chaparral species have developed certain adaptations to persist post fire.

One way manzanitas persist is through seed banks. Seed banks are characteristic of all species within Arctostaphylos. Manzanitas have seed that is dispersed in a dormant stage, which only germinate post fire due to chemicals found in smoke. Obligate seeders lack a lignotuber/burl and are killed by fire. In contrast, Facultative-seeders or Burl formers resprout after a fire. Most species are obligate seeders, and population survival depends on post-fire recruitment. It is known that rodent caches are crucial to the development of the seed bank.