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western moss heather

Scientific Name: Cassiope mertensiana var. gracilis

Family: Ericaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Subshrub, Shrub

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Western Moss Heather (Cassiope mertensiana)

Cassiope mertensiana, commonly known as western moss heather or white mountain heather, is a captivating flowering plant.

Considerations for Pets

  • As a shrub, it may have woody stems or branches.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Cassiope mertensiana (Bong.) G. Don
  • Common Names: Western moss heather, white mountain heather, western bell heather, Mertens' mountain heather, Mertens' moss heather, white moss heather
  • Family: Ericaceae (Crowberry family)
  • Synonyms: Andromeda cupressina, Andromeda mertensiana
  • Varieties:
    • Cassiope mertensiana (Bong.) G. Don var. mertensiana
    • Cassiope mertensiana var. gracilis (Piper) C.L. Hitchc.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Habit: Shrub or Subshrub
  • Growth Pattern: Perennial
  • Evergreen plant
  • In spring it assumes a white coloring.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Mount Rainier, Washington
  • Yosemite National Park, California
  • Western mountains, valleys, and coast
  • Montane areas