Hybrid Mountain Heather (Phyllodoce intermedia)

As the name implies, this species has its origins in the hybridization of two other mountain heather species, pink mountain heather and yellow mountain heather. It is fairly rare, and seldom encountered, but when it is found, it is always where both the parents are present. It looks very much like pink mountain heather, but the flowers are much lighter in color ranging from very light pink to nearly white. Photo is from the Seven Devils Mountains of Idaho. August 2004