Very common evergreen shrub, found east of the Cascades in Ponderosa ecosystems at higher elevations. Has broad oval waxy leaves and white clustered fragrant flowers. Grows in thickets along roadsides, woodland openings, and semi-barren gravel flats or on dry to moist slopes where sunlight is most abundant. Often appears after fires, this is a great conservation species which spreads well in open spaces. Provides fixed atmospheric nitrogen into the soil for plant uptake. Important cultural resource for Native American people as they made the leaves into a tea used to alleviate tuberculosis.