Subshrubs, procumbent to ascending, 0.1-3.5 dm, rhizomatous, (floral buds prominent, pseudo terminal, rotund). Leaves persistent. Inflorescences terminal, racemes, 2-3-flowered, sometimes flowers solitary, borne on previous year’s growth. Pedicels articulated with calyx tube. Flowers (short-pedicellate); sepals 4; petals 4(-5), connate ca. 3/4 their lengths, corolla ± campanulate, (lobes not reflexed); stamens 8, included; anthers without awns, tubules 0.8-1.4 mm, with terminal pores. Berries 4-locular. Seeds ca. 10-20.

Species 1: North America, Eurasia; circumboreal.

SELECTED REFERENCE Hall, I. V. and J. M. Shay. 1981. Biological flora of Canada: 3. Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. var. minus Lodd. Supplementary account. Canad. Field-Naturalist 45: 435-464.