This is a deciduous alpine species which produces small, white, bell shaped flowers very early in the year for an alpine (May in the British Isles). Later a berry is formed which is at first green, then turns wine red and eventually black. The leaves turn a bright red colour before they are eventually shed in Spring when the shrivelled old leaves, new green leaves, white flowers and black berries from the previous year can be found all at once on the plant.

Arctostaphylos alpinus Alpine Bearberry Lower slopes of Piz Nair, Engadine, Switzerland 10th July 2010 Previous   Next

Arctostaphylos alpinus Alpine Bearberry

Lower slopes of Piz Nair, Engadine, Switzerland 10th July 2010

Added on 22nd July 2010