This petite evergreen slightly woody groundcovering vine or subshrub is fairly common throughout North Carolina, though more common in the Mountains than the Piedmont or Coastal Plain.

Durham, NC 5/24/2009.

The four-parted flowers, which grow in pairs, have white-hairy petals.

Durham, NC 5/24/2009.

Dare Co., NC 6/1/07.

Dare Co., NC 6/1/07.

Another groundcover with opposite evergreen leaves in Common Periwinkle (Vinca minor), which is much more rambunctious.

Greenville, NC 5/5/06.

Each pair of flowers produces a single bright red berry.

Wilkes Co., NC 6/15/08.

Partridgeberry normally rambles along the ground, but this one was falling down a hillside.

Wilkes Co., NC 6/15/08.