The crowberry family has a single species in Alaska.  The family is composed of small evergreen shrubs.  The narrow leaves are crowded and grooved on their under side, resembling a heath family member.  Small inconspicuous flowers  are composed of 3 bracts, 2-4 stamens and 3-6 sepals which can be confused with petals.  The sepals can appear in whorls.  The ovary is many parted and produces a berry like fruit.