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Alpine Bearberry, Arctostaphylos alpina (L.) Spreng.
Ericaceae

Buds: Oval in shape and have wine colored, sharp-pointed scales. Terminals are about 4 mm long and lateral buds are about 1 mm long.

Leaves: Alternate, blunt-toothed, spatula-shaped, somewhat leathery, about 1.3 cm long, deeply-veined and wrinkled. They turn red and wither in the fall, then become brown in the winter. The blade is fringed with hairs at the base. In the winter, the old dry, withered leaves persist, often for several years

Flowers: Small, urn shaped yellowish green or white, in terminal clusters of 2 or 3. They expand with the leaves, emerging from scaly buds. Blooms from late May to mid June.

Fruit: Black, shiny drupes containing 5 nutlets. They are juicy and edible but somewhat tasteless. Ripen by early August.

Habitat: Found on acidic rocky and gravelly places around the coast and on higher hills throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

General: A matted, trailing shrub with smooth reddish-brown branches that are brittles and covered with shreddy papery bark.

Source: Native Trees and Shrubs
of Newfoundland and Labrador
By A. Glen Ryan

Used with permission from
Parks and Natural Areas Division
Department of Environment and Conservation
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador 1995