Phyllodoce empetriformis
Klamath mountain heather
(c) Syd Cannings, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Phyllodoce empetriformis (Klamath mountain heather) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by smaller floral measurements are diagnostic versus P. breweri.
Klamath mountain heather is a California native shrub found in the Klamath Ranges and northern California Ranges around Mount Shasta in moist subalpine meadows and slopes at elevations of 1,450 to 2,650 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces delicate pink to rose-purple flowers with short tube-like corollas and small lobes. Growing as a compact shrub 10 to 30 centimeters tall with fine, closely packed branches, it forms dense low-growing mats in alpine and subalpine environments. Its small, narrow leaves are evergreen, appearing crowded and needle-like along the slender stems. In its native habitat, this heather creates intricate ground-hugging patches that provide important vegetation cover in high-elevation mountain landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; smaller floral measurements are diagnostic versus P. breweri
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist slopes, meadows, subalpine
Elevation: 1450-2650 m
California counties: Trinity, Siskiyou, Shasta, Humboldt, Del Norte, Tehama
Outside California: to Alaska, Montana, Wyoming
Bloom period
Phyllodoce empetriformis blooms Jul-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Kalmia: Phyllodoce has simple bell flowers; Kalmia has cup flowers with stamens held in pockets.; vs Grevillea: Phyllodoce has tiny heath flowers; Grevillea has showy tubular flowers with protruding styles.; vs Veronica: Phyllodoce has needle-like rolled leaves; Veronica has flat toothed leaves.; vs Calluna: Phyllodoce has needle leaves under 5mm; Calluna has tiny scale-like leaves under 2mm.; vs Penstemon: Phyllodoce has bell-shaped flowers; Penstemon has tubular two-lipped flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Phyllodoce empetriformis native to California?
Yes. Phyllodoce empetriformis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phyllodoce empetriformis bloom?
Phyllodoce empetriformis blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Phyllodoce empetriformis grow?
Phyllodoce empetriformis occurs in Trinity, Siskiyou, Shasta, Humboldt, Del Norte, Tehama, at elevations of 1450-2650 m.
What plant family does Phyllodoce empetriformis belong to?
Phyllodoce empetriformis is in the Ericaceae family, genus Phyllodoce.
What habitat does Phyllodoce empetriformis grow in?
Phyllodoce empetriformis grows in Moist slopes, meadows, subalpine.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.