Gaultheria myrsinoides

Native from Mexico through Central America to northwestern Argentina, this plant is a variable mountain shrub that may creep into dense mats or grow upright. It occurs in cloud forests, grasslands, subpáramo and páramo, and can colonize exposed ground after landslides, road building or volcanic activity. Its small leathery leaves have finely toothed edges, and solitary nodding flowers are white or pink-tinged with urn-shaped corollas. The fleshy berries are usually dark blue-black, but purple and nearly white forms also occur. It can produce viable seeds without visits from pollinators. Its fruits can be poisonous if eaten. Photographed at the Páramo de Berlín, Colombia.