Ericaceae

Menziesia ferruginea

Fool's Huckleberry

Spreading to erect, deciduous shrub. Stems with somewhat shredding bark. Leaves light green to blue-green, 1–2 in. long, thin, with pointed gland at tip, smelling musky when crushed, turning brilliant crimson-orange in autumn. Flower clusters hang from last year's growth. Bell-shaped flowers salmon pink to yellow-green. Seed capsules oval, standing upright when dry. Grows in deeply shaded, moist woods at low to high elevations. Looks much like huckleberry, thus the common name, but has brown seed capsules instead of tasty berries. Named for Archibald Menzies (1754–1842), physician and naturalist with George Vancouver's expedition of 1790-95.

• Rarity: Uncommon
• Flowering Time: Early Summer
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: 3--9 feet
• Habitat: West-Side Forest, Subalpine
• Found In: West Gorge, Mt. Rainier Np, Olympic Np, N Cascades Np
• Native: Yes