Arctous

Arctous
Arctous alpina var. japonica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Subfamily: Arbutoideae
Genus: Arctous
Nied. (1889)

Arctous is a genus of flowering plants referred to by the common name "bearberry", a name sometimes shared with certain species of the related genus Arctostaphylos, in particular, A. uva-ursi. Although the two genera are related, certain characters, such as deciduous, marcescent leaves, rugose-reticulate venation, and finely-toothed leaves are more typical of Arctous than Arctostaphylos.

Three species are accepted.

  • Arctous alpina (L.) Nied.
  • Arctous microphylla C.Y.Wu
  • Arctous rubra (Rehder & E.H.Wilson) Nakai