The huckleberry is a low erect shrub, ranging from 1-5 feet tall. The flowers are shaped like tiny pink or white urns, which blossom in June and July, depending on elevation. The leaves are short, elliptical and alternative on the stems. The bush turns billiant red and sheds its leaves in the fall. The shape of the berry varies from round to oval and the color varies form purplish black to wine-colored red.
Some species have a dusky blue covering called bloom.
The berries tast sweet and tart, in the same proportions. Ripening happens sooner in lower elevations and on the southern slopes of sunny hills. So you may still find berries in October on north-facing slopes. Best sites will be found in elevation 2,000 to 9,000 on slopes supporting grand fir, alpine fire and lodgepole pine. Coming into the small town look right away for a left turn intersection to take 57 North to Priest Lake and go all the way up to Nordman.