A low evergreen shrub of spreading or trailing habit from 8 to 12 in. high, the branches erect, sparingly furnished with comparatively long hairs. Leaves broadly ovate, pointed at the apex, rounded or slightly heart-shaped at the base, very shallowly toothed of hard rather leathery texture and arranged regularly on the shoots about 1⁄4 in. apart, 3⁄4 to 11⁄2 in. long, 1⁄2 to 11⁄4 in. wide, dark glossy green and wrinkled above, margins of young leaves hairy; stalk 1⁄16 to 1⁄12 in. long, hairy. Flowers solitary in the leaf-axils, each on a stalk 1⁄12 in. long, furnished with numerous bracteoles. Calyx five-lobed, bristly, the lobes about half as long as the tubular part. Corolla white or pinkish, bell-shaped, 1⁄5 in. long, with five small teeth at the mouth. Anthers not awned. Fruits scarlet, 1⁄4 in. wide, globose, described as very spicy and delicious.
Native of western North America from the northernmost part of California through Oregon to southern British Columbia, including Vancouver Island. It is not common in cultivation and reputed to be difficult.
G. humifusa (Graham) Rydb. Vaccinium humifusum Graham; G. myrsinites Hook. – This species is nearly akin to G. ovatifolia but is of neater, closer, more tufted habit and about 4 in. high. The leaves are about half the size and the calyx is glabrous. There is no constant difference in the size of the fruits. It is quite hardy and suitable for the rock garden. Native of western N. America.