Phyllodoce empetriformis

[1] This common evergreen alpine shrub bears its red-purple flower clustered at the end of the stem.

[4] The dwarf shrub can survive in subalpine to alpine regions because of their ability to minimize water loss through evaporation.

The heather acts as a mountain canopy and collects stone-free soil either from the wind or that has been washed in.

[6] Pink mountain heather can often be mistaken for Empetrum nigrum (crowberry),[4] although Phyllodoce empetriformis does not produce berries.

Pink and yellow mountain heather can form a hybrid called Phyllodoce intermedia.