Gaultheria anastomosans
Native to Colombia and western Venezuela, this branching shrub grows in open pƔramo, mountain thickets and disturbed highland slopes. At higher elevations its stems can become short and gnarled. Small, oval leaves have toothed margins and a network of veins. White to pinkish, urn-shaped flowers develop in the leaf axils or crowd near the branch tips. After flowering, the calyx enlarges into a fleshy, berry-like covering around the seed capsule, usually becoming blue-black. Its fruits provide food for wildlife but are potentially toxic to people. Older stems have thin bark that peels in strips. Photographed in Colombia.