Ornithostaphylos oppositifolia

Ornithostaphylos is a monotypic plant genus which contains the single species Ornithostaphylos oppositifolia, commonly known as the Baja California birdbush or Baja California manzanita. A large, evergreen shrub in the heather family, this species is near-endemic to northwestern Baja California, with a small population just north of the border in San Ysidro, California. It produces a much-branched inflorescence of white, urn-shaped flowers, and has leathery leaves that appear opposite or in whorls. These characteristics separate it from its close relatives in the region, which include manzanitas (Arctostaphylos), summer holly (Comarostaphylis) and mission manzanita (Xylococcus).

== Description == A burl-forming, branched shrub to small tree up to 2 m tall, this species has thin, smooth bark that is colored reddish purple when young, sometimes found peeling off. The erect, rigidly branched stems may have minutely wooly hairs. The evergreen, leathery leaves are arranged opposite or whorled, and are up to 8 cm long to 6 mm wide. The margins of the leaves are rolled under, with the top side of the leaf a dark green and the underside white and hairy. The inflorescence is a panicle with 10 to 20 flowers, each suspended by a long pedicel. The fused petals form a white, urn-shaped flower, with 10 stamens and a 5-chambered ovary inside. The fruit is a spherical reddish-brown drupe with 5 stones, each stone containing 2 seeds.