Gaultheria erecta

Native to tropical and subtropical America, this plant is a variable woody shrub ranging from Mexico through Central America and the Andes to northern Argentina, with populations also in Brazil. It grows in forest margins, rocky meadows, subpáramo and páramo thickets, and disturbed sites such as roadbanks and landslides. Its urn-shaped flowers, ranging from white and cream to pink or dark red, gather in racemes arising from the leaf axils. The berry-like structures develop when the calyx becomes fleshy around a seed capsule and usually ripen blue-black. Its fruits are eaten by people and birds. It can flower and fruit throughout the year. Photographed in Colombia.