Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is a low creeping shrub with widely spreading branches at the soil surface that often produces a mat-like growth form. The upright branches are generally up to about 6 or 8 inches tall--reportedly to 12 inches in extreme cases. Leaves are alternate, simple, entire and evergreen and the upper surface is usually glossy. The leaves, often less than 2.5 cm long, are obovate or, less often elliptical, in either case blunt at the tip. Some similar plants include Vaccinium vitis-idaea (typically in wet sites and very rare in Wisconsin) and perhaps Vaccinium oxycoccos and V. macrocarpon, both of wet sites. The habitat for Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is usually dry soil of low productivity in full sun. None of these other species display the spots on the underside of the leaves of Arctostaphylos, as shown in the photo above.