This manzanita is native to western North America where it grows at moderate to high elevations.

It is low to the ground with some of the lower branches rooting in the soil and others extending more outward than upward.

The plentiful flowers are white to pink and urn-shaped, each with five small lobes at the mouth of the corolla, hanging in bunches.

The fruits are dark brown drupes nearly a centimeter wide, each containing about five hard-coated seeds that can be fused.

In addition to providing fruit for certain mammals,[3][4] the species is an important browse plant for deer.