Arctostaphylos manzanita subsp. laevigata is designated as1B.2 in the California Rare Plant Rank. This specimen is from the Marsh Creek 4 hill area, growing on the slopes of Mt. Diablo in Northern California.

Manzanitas are fire-adaptive, propagating from seed following typical fire patterns. The fires that swept through in 2019, however, were anything but typical. They burned hot and intense, destroying the Manzanitas growing in the area and (potentially) their seed banks. This was painted from one of the few remaining mature trees, which had been protected by fire retardant air drops.