Western moss heather facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cassiope mertensiana |
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Cassiope mertensiana is a type of flowering plant. People often call it western moss heather or white mountain heather.
This plant is a small shrub. It grows in high mountain areas of western North America. You can find it from Alaska all the way down to the mountains of California. It forms patches on the ground and in rocky spots.
What Does It Look Like?
Cassiope mertensiana has short stems that stand upright. These stems are covered with tiny leaves. The leaves are like small scales, only a few millimeters long. They feel a bit leathery.
From between these scale-like leaves, small reddish stalks appear. Each stalk holds a tiny, bell-shaped flower. The flowers hang downwards and are white. Small red leaf-like parts, called bractlets, are found near the flowers. They make the white flowers stand out!
Where Does It Grow?
This shrub often grows in places where a lot of snow piles up. But it also needs enough rain to keep growing well.
During the warmer growing season, the plant needs plenty of sunlight. These sunny and warm conditions help Cassiope mertensiana grow strong and healthy.
