Genus: Arctostaphylos from Greek arktos 'a bear', staphyle 'a bunch of grapes'
Species: uva-ursi basically repeats in Latin the meaning of the generic name
aka Bearberry. Both botanical names basically mean 'bear's grapes' in reference to the persistent berries which provide food for bears and other animals long after other berries are gone. Kinnikinnick probably refers to a smoking mixture used by early fur traders. The low growing shrub, usually no higher than 1' (30 cm) forms dense mats with branches reaching over 3'. The white to pinkish flowers form hanging urns. Abundant in the dry floor of open woods but can also be found on rocky outcrops at higher elevations to 8000'. (ref. Biek, Blackwell, Clark)
