[2] The plant is a creeping shrub, low growing and straggling, with stems that can reach several feet while the height limited to about 0.5 metres (1+1⁄2 ft).

It bears bunches of red or pink rounded, bell-shaped flowers and spherical or bulbous white or pink-tinted fruits measuring about 1 centimetre (1⁄2 in).

[3] The shrub is found in western North America from British Columbia to California inland to Nevada and Idaho.

[4][5] It does well in warm climates and can tolerate both intense sun and constant shade.

[3] While not generally considered toxic, they are distasteful, having a soapy texture due to the presence of saponins.