A dwarf evergreen shrub rarely more than 1 to 11⁄2 ft high, the lower branches often prostrate; young wood very scaly, becoming warted. Leaves oblong, rounded or abruptly tapered at the apex, 1⁄4 to 1 in. long, 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 in. wide, rough and dark green above, covered beneath with brownish-yellow scales; stalk 1⁄12 to 1⁄8 in. long. Flowers bright purple, 3⁄4 in. across, produced three to six together in a small cluster. Calyx and flower-stalk very scaly; calyx-lobes triangular, fringed; stamens five to eight, about as long as the corolla, quite devoid of down; flower-stalk 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 in. long. Bot. Mag., t. 3106. (s. Lapponicum)
Native of northern Scandinavia, often on limestone, and of North America in high latitudes, also found on a few mountain tops in the north-eastern USA. It was introduced to Britain in 1825 but was soon lost to cultivation and although reintroduced many times since then it has never become established. It probably requires exceptionally cool, moist conditions and a long snow-cover. It is a very pretty plant, the colour of the flowers being very bright, and with more blue in them than almost any other species. See also R. parvifolium.