It is native to the coast of western North America from northern California to southwestern British Columbia.

This large manzanita is a shrub or small tree, usually 1–5 meters tall.

The leaves are oval-shaped and are usually 2-6 centimeters long and 2-3 wide, pale bluish green, fuzzy on both surfaces, occasionally glandular.

The small, white, urn-shaped flowers are borne in bunched inflorescences.

The seed requires either fire or consumption by animals in order for germination to occur.