Wintergreen

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Wintergreen

Gaultheria procumbens

Common Name(s)

Wintergreen
Checkerberry
Eastern Teaberry
Winterberry

Family

Ericaceae

Genus

Gaultheria

Full Scientific Name

Gaultheria procumbens

Author

Linnaeus

Native Range

MB, NB, NL, NS, ON, PE, QC

Introduced Range

Additional Details

Characteristics

Growth Form: Shrub

Evergreen or Deciduous: Evergreen

Light Requirements: Partial Shade

Soil Texture: Sand

Soil pH: Acidophile

Moisture Requirements: Dry, Normal, Moist

Drought Tolerant: No

Compaction Tolerant: No

Salt Tolerant: No

Juglone (Walnut) Tolerant: No

Habitat Considerations

Ecozone(s): Boreal Shield, Atlantic Maritime, Mixedwood Plains, Hudson Plains

Natural Habitat(s): Woodland, Forest Edge

Human Habitat(s): Woodland

Design Considerations

Minimum Height: 3 cm

Maximum Height: 5 cm

Bloom Time: Apr - May

Flower Colour(s): White/Cream

Showy Flowers: Yes

Showy Fruit/Seeds: Yes

Fruit/Seed Colour(s): Red

Erosion Control:

Fragrant Flowers: Yes

Fragrant Foliage: Yes

Fall Colour(s): No

Bark: No

Poisonous to Humans: No

Thorns or Prickles: No

Attracts Wildlife: Squirrels, Birds

Invasive Species: No

Conservation Status

Plant Watch Species: No

NatureServe Level:

IUCN Red Alert Status:

Interesting Tidbits

Interesting Tidbits: Fruit is eaten by a variety of mammals and birds including: chipmunks, deer, grouse, and partridge. Leaves browsed by deer and moose. Used by Aboriginals to brew a tea. Mohawks, as well as Ojibwes, and others, knew the tea as medicinal as well as a healthful beverage. Such names as ""teaberry"" emphasize importance as a year-round beverage, and as a food flavoring for meat and fish cooked with fermented leaves. Wintergreen oil, is derived via steam distillation. It contains methyl salicylate, which is antiseptic, analgesic, carminative, and antirheumatic. It contains methyl salycliates, the active pain killers in asprin, useful for colds, headaches, and to bring down fevers. OVERDOSES OF WINTERGREEN OIL CAN BE TOXIC. Medicine: A tea from the leaves eased symptoms of rheumatism. Food: The leaves were used as a potherb or eaten as a snack. Bright red berries ripen in autumn and improve with freezing so are harvested in the winter or spring. (Rook) Sensory Aspect: Aromatic

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