Leatherleaf is a low, evergreen shrub growing in bogs and wetlands of Algonquin Highlands. Also known as Dainty Bells, this perennial is a member of the Heath family.

June Similar to  Lily of the Valley flower, it is bell-shaped, white, has 5 lobes, and hangs on one-sided clusters of about 15 from axils along spreading branches. Appearing in the early Spring, the Leatherleaf grows to about  20 - 60 cm tall, with hairy twigs, forming dense thickets. It reproduces through its woody rhizomes and from its many-seeded, urn-shaped seed pods, It usually is a survivor of severe fires because its rhizomes are deep in water-saturated substrates and its stems are matted in debris.

Its leaves are tough, oblong and leathery, alternating along short stalks. In the Fall, you may find the bottom side of leaves is red.