Associated understory plants include toyon, various manzanitas and western poison-oak. "Xylococcus bicolor" is a slow-growing shrub that resembles the true manzanitas ("Arctostaphylos"). The Sandia mountains are separated from the Manzano mountains by the Manzanitas. The high-country to the north and east has closed-cone pine forests, manzanitas and oak woodlands. Manzanitas can live in places with poor soil and little water. The genus "Arctostaphylos" (manzanitas) and "Xylococcus" are both in the family Ericaceae. Manzanitas bloom in the winter to early spring and carry berries in spring and summer.