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Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)

Wintergreen

Gaultheria procumbens

eastern teaberry, checkerberry

Based on the courses of , Master Herbalist Updated

How to identify wintergreen

What to check before harvesting or using it.

Botanical illustration of wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)
Botanical plate

Wintergreen is a small monoecious shrub that grows 15 cm tall.

Stem
It has a spreading habit and an underground stem that turns into aerial branches.
Leaves
The leaves are lance-shaped, small, simple, alternate, thick and a glossy dark green.
Flowers
Its flowers are white to pale pink, located at the base of the leaves, usually single and shaped like small bells.
Fruit
Its fruits are scarlet-red berries with a pleasant wintergreen taste (peppermint).
Roots
It spreads slowly by a creeping underground stem, from which the upright branches emerge.

Wintergreen in the garden

Sun exposure
Partial shade to light shade
Soil
Acidic, cool, rich in humus and well drained, ideally a forest-type soil

Sources

  • Plant profiles from the course “Wild Medicinal Plants”, eJardin Academy