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Gaultheria procumbens Linnaeus. Common name: Teaberry, Wintergreen, Checkerberry, Creeping Wintergreen. Phenology: Jun-Aug; Sep-Nov. Habitat: Heath balds, woodlands, and openings, usually acidic and xeric. Distribution: NL (Newfoundland) west to MB, south to e. NC, ne. GA, AL, c. TN, KY, n. IN, and MN.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Synonymy : = C, Can, F, FNA8, G, Il, K4, Mi, NE, NY, Pa, RAB, S, S13, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WV, Luteyn et al (1996)

Links to other floras: = Gaultheria procumbens - FNA8

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image of plant© Will Stuart | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan Cressler: Gaultheria procumbens, Chattahoochee National Forest, Rabun County, Georgia 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Jennifer Peterson | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

Intro: Rhizomatous, colonial perennial of heath balds, woodlands, openings and bogs, usually on acidic (often dry) sites.

Stems: Stem unbranched, somewhat woody and smooth or hairy.

Leaves: Leaves alternate but clustered toward the top of the short stem, elliptical, 1-2 in. long, with widely spaced bristle-tipped teeth, evergreen-leathery and shiny.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers (1-several) dangling from leaf axils, white to pink, 1/4-1/2 in. long, urn-shaped with bell-shaped, shorter calyx.

Fruits: Fruit a bright red, many-seeded, persistent berry-like capsule.

Comments: Leaves and fruit with strong wintergreen fragrance and flavor; an extract of this plant has been used to flavor teas, chewing gum, candy and medicines.

Height: 2-6 in.

plant sale text: Wintergreen is a rhizomatous, evergreen member of the heath family with glossy, leathery dark green leaves. In early summer, the plants develop waxy, nodding, bell-shaped, white flowers that ripen into edible bright red berries which can persist through winter and serve as an important source of food for many forms of wildlife. Wintergreen is an excellent groundcover for rock gardens and as a companion plant for other acid-loving shrubs such as azaleas, rhododendrons, kalmias and blueberries in woodland shade gardens.

bloom table text:

description: Rhizomatous, colonial perennial of heath balds, woodlands, openings and bogs, usually on acidic (often dry) sites.

stems: Stem unbranched, somewhat woody and smooth or hairy.

leaves: Leaves alternate but clustered toward the top of the short stem, elliptical, 1-2 in. long, with widely spaced bristle-tipped teeth, evergreen-leathery and shiny.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers (1-several) dangling from leaf axils, white to pink, 1/4-1/2 in. long, urn-shaped with bell-shaped, shorter calyx.

fruits: Fruit a bright red, many-seeded, persistent berry-like capsule.

comments: Leaves and fruit with strong wintergreen fragrance and flavor; an extract of this plant has been used to flavor teas, chewing gum, candy and medicines.

cultural notes:

germination code:

native range: eastern North America