It is matted and clumpy, and it spreads outward with the stems rooting at nodes where it comes in contact with moist substrate.

They are urn-shaped, pink,[4] and about 4 millimeters (3⁄16 in) long, The fruit is a soft, bright red berry up to 6 mm (1⁄4 in) in width.

[6] It grows in mountain habitat such as forests, meadows, and talus, occurring in subalpine and alpine climates at elevations of 700 to 3,000 m (2,300 to 9,800 ft).

[7] This shrub provides food for many large mammal species, such as elk, mule deer, and bears, and many smaller animals, such as squirrels, foxes, skunks, and a variety of birds.

They are small and difficult to collect in large quantities, and Native people likely used combs made of wood or fishbones to harvest them.