Arctostaphylos Adanson sect. Arctoae A. Gray in A. Gray et al., Syn. Fl. N. Amer. 2(1): 27. 1878 (as Arctous).

Shrubs dwarf, deciduous. Twigs smooth, bark exfoliating in papery sheets; leaf or leaf bases marcescent. Leaf blade broad, margin serrate or crenate, flat. Flowers pendulous, 5-merous, in short terminal racemose clusters, with scales at base. Corolla urceolate, shortly lobed, abaxially glabrous, adaxially pubescent. Stamens included; filaments pubescent, much dilated below 1/3 length; anthers with 2 reflexed awns near apex, opening by 2 terminal pores. Ovary superior, glabrous, with one ovule per locule. Fruit a drupe; stones separate.

Four species: E and N Asia, Europe, North America, extending to the Arctic; three species (one endemic) in China.

(Authors: Fang Ruizheng (方瑞征 Fang Rhui-cheng); Peter F. Stevens)