Bigberry Manzanita is an evergreen shrub or small tree with interesting twisting branches and smooth red bark that readily peels. The leaves are pale gray-green. Young twigs appear waxy green.  Leaves on the Bigberry are alternate  simple  1 to 2 inches long  leathery  oval to ovate in shape  entire margins  whitened bluish green on both surfaces  and are generally oriented upright. The flower on this Manzanita is urn-shaped  pinkish white  appearing in terminal clusters in late winter and early spring.  The fruit is round  sticky  1/2 inch apple-like drupe  little pulp over a number of fused nutlets  ripening in late summer. A tasty jelly can be made from the fruit. It is a long-lived species  reaching 100 years of age or more  and it does not begin to fruit until it is around 20 years old.