Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation structure is typically a low, dense thicket. Graminoids and forbs may occur as scattered individuals or in small openings. Scattered trees of the surrounding forest may also occur.

Floristics: This alliance includes communities dominated by heaths or heathlike shrubs (typically Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium myrtilloides, Vaccinium pallidum (= Vaccinium vacillans)). In addition to Vaccinium spp., associations typically contain other shrubs such as Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Comptonia peregrina, Corema conradii, Gaylussacia baccata, Helianthemum dumosum, Hudsonia ericoides, Morella pensylvanica, and Quercus ilicifolia, along with scattered herbaceous plants such as Carex pensylvanica, Danthonia spicata, Deschampsia flexuosa, Epigaea repens, Euthamia graminifolia, Ionactis linariifolius, Lycopodium dendroideum, Lycopodium digitatum, Piptatheropsis pungens (= Oryzopsis pungens), Rubus hispidus, Schizachyrium scoparium, Sericocarpus asteroides, and Solidago canadensis. Mosses and lichens usually are present.

Dynamics:  Where this vegetation arose from human activity, native tree cover has been eliminated, with subsequent regular management through burning and/or cutting. In presettlement times, this vegetation appears to have been maintained via a natural fire regime. This vegetation has been used extensively for blueberry production in certain locations; cover of Vaccinium spp. has been greatly enhanced by fire and herbicide use. This vegetation can also be found along some powerline rights-of-way where few or no herbicides are used. In maritime settings, wind, storms, and salt spray act to suppress tree establishment.