About Phyllodoce empetriformis (Sm.) D.Don
Phyllodoce empetriformis, also known by its scientific name (Sm.) D.Don, is a common evergreen alpine shrub. It produces red-purple flowers that grow clustered at the end of stems; these flower clusters can contain anywhere from many individual flowers down to just one. Its leaves grow in an alternating arrangement along the stem, and roll inward on their undersides so tightly that they resemble pine needles. This is a fairly short dwarf shrub, reaching a mature height between 10 and 40 cm. Its ability to minimize water loss via evaporation lets it survive in regions ranging from subalpine to alpine. It thrives under heavy winter snow cover, which provides water for the plant during the summer when the snow melts.
