# pink mountainheath (*Phyllodoce empetriformis*) The pink mountainheath is a lovely plant that grows in cool, rocky places. Its beautiful pink flowers bloom in clusters, making it a pretty sight in nature. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![pink mountainheath](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Phyllodoce_empetriformis_9246.JPG&width=800) Photo: Walter Siegmund (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phyllodoce_empetriformis_9246.JPG) ## Appearance The pink mountainheath is a low-growing evergreen shrub with bright pink, bell-shaped flowers that dangle in clusters. Its leaves are small, narrow, and needle-like, resembling miniature fir needles, giving it a distinctive textured look. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Ericales - **Family:** Ericaceae - **Genus:** Phyllodoce ## Interesting facts - It belongs to the same plant family as blueberries and cranberries. - Its scientific name, Phyllodoce, comes from a sea nymph in ancient Greek myths! - The plant's vibrant flowers provide nectar for bees in chilly mountain environments! - You can find this tough plant growing right at the edge of melting glaciers! ## Special abilities - **Freeze Fighter:** Pink mountainheath has evergreen leaves that stay green all year, letting it photosynthesize even under snow. - **Wind Dodger:** The pink mountainheath grows low to the ground, which helps it avoid strong winds and survive harsh alpine weather. - **Thirsty Thwart:** Pink mountainheath has tiny, needle-like leaves that are excellent at reducing water loss in dry, windy mountain air. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 10-30 cm - **Spread:** 20-50 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to mid-summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Two-form bumblebee (*Bombus bifarius*) — Main pollinator in high altitudes - **Pollinates:** Yellow-faced Bumblebee (*Bombus vosnesenskii*) — Visits flowers for nectar and pollen - **Pollinates:** [Rocky Mountain Parnassian](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rocky-mountain-parnassian) (*Parnassius smintheus*) — Butterfly sips nectar from flowers ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Cluster Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cluster-flower): Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Cold Hardy](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cold-hardy): Cold hardy plants are able to withstand low temperatures and freezing conditions without significant damage. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't touch wild plants unless you have permission from an adult. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify pink mountainheath? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is pink mountainheath? 10-30 cm ### How wide does pink mountainheath spread? 20-50 cm ### How big are the flowers on pink mountainheath? 0.5-1 cm ### When does pink mountainheath bloom? Late spring to mid-summer ### Is pink mountainheath edible? No ### Is pink mountainheath toxic? None ### What is pink mountainheath's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Tantalus Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tantalus-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Garibaldi Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/garibaldi-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Paradise Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/paradise-historic-district) — Washington, US · Historic District - [Sunrise Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sunrise-historic-district) — Washington, US · Historic District - [White River Entrance](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/white-river-entrance) — Washington, US · Historic District - [Yakima Park Stockade Group](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/yakima-park-stockade-group) — Washington, US · Historic District [View all places to see pink mountainheath](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/pink-mountainheath) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Pink Mountainheath: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pink-mountainheath)