Gaultheria rigida

Native to western South America and northern Venezuela, this upright shrub usually grows about two to five feet tall. Its leathery, oval leaves have finely toothed edges and prominent veins beneath. Small clusters of white, pink, or red urn-shaped flowers develop in the leaf axils. After flowering, the calyx enlarges into a blue-black, berry-like covering around the seed capsule. Birds eat the fruits, which may be toxic to people. In Colombia, it grows in Andean habitats between about 8,860 and 11,485 feet. Photographed in the central Andes mountain range of Colombia.