This is a relatively easy species to learn to recognize and it is the most frequent and generally the most abundant shrub in our Wisconsin bogs. The leaves are simple and alternate and leathery in texture. The margins may appear entire from the top, but if you turn them over you will notice that the margins of the leaves are slightly in-rolled and from the bottom the edges can be seen to have very tiny teeth, especially as viewed through a hand lens or dissecting scope. The underside is glabrous,and is irregularly brown colored, due in large part to small brown scales.