Shrubs, erect, 1-4 m; burl absent; twigs densely short-hairy with longer hairs. Leaves: petiole to 2 mm; blade bright green, shiny, orbiculate-ovate to ± orbiculate, 1-2.5 × 1-2 cm, base auriculate-clasping, margins entire, plane, surfaces smooth, glabrous. Inflorescences racemes, simple or 1-2-branched; immature inflorescence pendent, (branches dense, concealed by bracts), axis 0.5-1 cm, 1+ mm diam., densely short-hairy with longer hairs; bracts not appressed, (overlapping), leaflike, ovate to lanceolate-ovate, 5-8 mm, apex acute, surfaces glabrous. Pedicels 3-5 mm, sparsely hairy or glabrous. Flowers: corolla white, conic to urceolate; ovary glabrous. Fruits depressed-globose, 5-8 mm diam., glabrous. Stones distinct. 2n = 26.

Flowering winter-early spring. Maritime chaparral on deep, sandy soils; of conservation concern; 0-100 m; Calif.

Arctostaphylos purissima is known from hills and mesas near the coast (Burton Mesa) in Santa Barbara County.