About Cassiope mertensiana (Bong.) D.Don
Cassiope mertensiana has short, erect, snakelike stems covered in tiny leathery scalelike leaves only a few millimeters long. Reddish pedicels emerge from between the layers of scale leaves, and each pedicel holds a small, hanging, down-facing, bell-shaped flower. The bractlets are red, and the contrasting flower is white. This shrub typically grows in areas with heavy snow accumulation, and it requires adequate rainfall to continue growing. During the growing season, it must receive enough sunlight and warmer conditions to grow properly.
