Characteristics:
Bunchberry is an attractive evergreen groundcover, spreading via rhizomatous growth. The erect stems range from 5-20 cm tall, and are semi-woody. The stems are leafless below except for a pair of small leafy bracts, with 4-7 leaves in a terminal whorl. The leaves are elliptic, ovate-, or rhombic-elliptic in shape, and are sessile. They are from 2-8 cm long with entire margins and prominent pinnate venation with the veins curved towards the distal end, so that the veins become parallel to the leaf edge.
The flower heads are at the apex of the stem, consisting of a cluster of tiny flowers subtended by 4 white or pink bracts. The brats are narrowly to broadly ovate, and from 1-2 cm long. Individual flowers are 1-1.5 mm long. The attractive fruits are a bright coral red, from 6-8 mm long.
Bunchberry is an attractive ornamental groundcover, both for its foliage, flowers, and fruit.
Bunchberry is found in forested wetland and upland communities.
Bunchberry is found from Alaska south to California, and east to Greenland, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico.
In the Columbia River Gorge, it is found above 1300' in the western gorge, from Crown Point to approximately Dog Mt.
