Gordon C. Tucker, Gary D. Wallace

Subshrubs, multicellular hairs present; bark smooth, not flaky. Stems decumbent, becoming ascendent at tips. Leaves persistent, alternate; petiole present; blade plane, abaxial groove present. Inflorescences terminal, solitary flowers; perulae absent; bracts much shorter than sepals. Flowers erect to horizontal or nodding; sepals 5; petals 5, connate, corolla deciduous, campanulate, lobes ± equaling tube; intrastaminal nectary disc absent; stamens 10; anthers dehiscent by terminal, elongate pores; ovary 5-locular; placentation axile; style straight. Fruits capsular, dehiscence loculicidal. Seeds 1-10, distinct, ellipsoid, not winged.

Genus 1, species 2 (2 in the flora): North America, n Europe, n Asia; arctic and cold-temperate regions, especially alpine areas.