Mn doped ZnO nano- and microstructures have grown by a catalyst free evaporation-deposition method. Different morphologies such as nanowires, nanorods and stacks of nanoplates with a skewer arrangement around a central rod, have been obtained. Structural and cathodoluminescence investigations show the incorporation of Mn into the structures and the formation of a spinel phase in some areas. The influence of dopant distribution and local growth conditions on the formation of these structures, in particular of the stacks of nanoplates, has been also investigated. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.