#broadleaf evergreen

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Gaultheria procumbens | Creeping Wintergreen

Plant Community: Red Maple Swamp

Type: Broadleaf evergreen

Family: Ericaceae

Native Status: Eastern North America; Native

Mature Size: Height 5′ - 10 | Spread 5′ - 10′

Habitat / Conditions: Wintergreen is a rhizomatous, creeping, woody, evergreen groundcover of the heath family that is native to woodlands in Eastern North America (Newfoundland to Manitoba south to Minnesota, Tennessee, Virginia and in the mountains to Georgia and Alabama). Best grown in organically rich, evenly moist, acidic, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Established plants tolerate some dry soils. Plants perform best in climates with cool summers.

Hardiness Zone: 3 - 8

Leaf Color: Green

Flower Color / Bloom Time: White | June - July

Medicinal Properties: 

Checkerberry leaves were widely used by the native North American Indians in the treatment of aches and pains and to help breathing whilst hunting or carrying heavy loads. An essential oil (known as 'oil of wintergreen') obtained from the leaves contains methyl salicylate, which is closely related to aspirin and is an effective anti-inflammatory. This species was at one time a major source of methyl salicylate, though this is now mainly synthesized. The leaves, and the oil, are analgesic, anti-inflammatory, aromatic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, stimulant and tonic. An infusion of the leaves is used to relieve flatulence and colic. The plant, especially in the form of the essential oil, is most useful when applied externally in the treatment of acute cases of rheumatism, sciatica, myalgia, sprains, neuralgia and catarrh. The oil is sometimes used in the treatment of cellulitis, a bacterial infection that causes the skin to become inflamed. Some caution is advised, especially if the oil is used internally, since essential oil is toxic in excess, causing liver and kidney damage. It should not be prescribed for patients who are hypersensitive to salicylates (aspirin). The leaves can be gathered at any time from spring to early autumn, they are dried for use in infusions or distilled to produce the oil.

Sources:

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b718

https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Gaultheria+procumbens

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Mitchella repens | Partridge Berry

Plant Community: Red Maple Swamp

Type: Broadleaf evergreen

Family: Rubiaceae

Native Status: North America; Native

Mature Size: Height 0.00′ - 0.25′ | Spread 0.50′ - 1.00′

Habitat / Conditions: Partridge Berry is a herbaceous, woodland, mat-forming, evergreen perennial that is indigenous to eastern North America. It is native to sandy soils around bluff ledges, bogs and stream banks and in low moist woods. Best grown in organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Tolerates some drought, but best with consistent watering. 

Hardiness Zone: 3 - 8

Leaf Color: Green

Flower Color / Bloom Time: White | May - June

Medicinal Properties: Partridge berry was commonly used by several native North American Indian tribes as a parturient to hasten childbirth. It was also occasionally used to treat a variety of other complaints including insomnia, rheumatic pain and fluid retention. It is still used in modern herbalism as an aid to childbirth and is also considered to have a tonic effect upon the uterus and the ovaries. The herb is astringent, diuretic, hypnotic and tonic. Frequent doses of a tea made from the fresh or dried leaves were used by N. American Indian women in the weeks preceding childbirth in order to promote easy delivery. This tea should not be used during the first six months of pregnancy, however, since it can induce a miscarriage. The tea is also used to treat delayed, painful or irregular menses. The tea was also used externally as a wash for hives, swellings, sore nipples, rheumatism etc. The leaves are harvested in the summer and dried for later use. A tea made from the berries has a very definite sedating effect on the nervous system.

Sources:

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b345

https://www.rebeccasherbs.com/pages/herb-article-br-partridge-berry.html

http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/m/mitchella-repens=partridge-berry.php

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Ilex opaca | American Holly

Plant Community: Barrier Beach

Type: Broadleaf evergreen

Family: Aquifoliaceae

Native Status: Eastern and central United States ; Native

Mature Size: Height 15′ - 30′ | Spread 10′ - 20′

Habitat / Conditions: American holly is an upright, pyramidal, evergreen tree that slowly matures to 15-30' in cultivation, but may reach 50' tall in the wild. It is native to the eastern and central U.S., most frequently found in moist woods, forest bottomlands and swamp peripheries plus some coastal dunes (e.g., Cape Cod down the Atlantic Coast) from Massachusetts to West Virginia to Ohio to southeastern Missouri south to Texas and Florida. Easily grown in average, consistently moist, acidic, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Leaves typically yellow in alkaline soils. Tolerates a broad range of soil conditions, but will not tolerate flooding or soils saturated with moisture. Avoid poorly drained soils. Best growth in the wild usually occurs in rich bottomlands and swamp margins. Site in locations protected from cold winter winds. Part afternoon shade is best in hot summer climates.

Hardiness Zone: 5 - 9

Leaf Color: Green

Flower Color / Bloom Time: Off-white | May

Medicinal Properties: The berries are laxative, emetic and diuretic. They are used in the treatment of children's diarrhea, colic and indigestion. 

A tea made from the bark was once used in the treatment of malaria and epilepsy. A tea made from the leaves has been used as a treatment for measles, colds etc. [Historic - unproven effects]

Sources:

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=k640

http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/include/searchherb.php?herbsearch=ilex+opaca&x=0&y=0

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Kalmia latifolia | Mountain Laurel

Plant Community: Oak Hickory

Type: Broadleaf evergreen

Family: Ericaceae

Native Status: Eastern United States ; Native

Mature Size: Height 5′ - 15′ | Spread 5′ - 15′

Habitat / Conditions: Mountain laurel is a gnarled, multi-stemmed, broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree that is native to Eastern North America (New England south to the southern Indiana, Louisiana and the Florida panhandle) where it is found in a variety of habitats including open rocky or sandy woods, cool meadows, balds, mountain slopes and woodland margins. Best grown in cool, moist, rich, acidic, humusy, well-drained soils in part shade. Mulch to retain moisture and keep root zones cool. Plants tolerate a wide range of light conditions (full sun to full shade), but are best in part shade. 

Hardiness Zone: 4 - 9

Leaf Color: Green 

Flower Color / Bloom Time: May | Rose - white w/ purple

Medicinal Properties: Mountain laurel is a very poisonous narcotic plant the leaves of which were at one time used by some Native American tribes in order to commit suicide. Because of its toxicity, it is a remedy that is seldom used in modern herbalism.

However, the leaves have been used externally in herbal medicine and are a good remedy for many skin diseases and inflammation. The leaves are analgesic, astringent, disinfectant, narcotic, salve and sedative. An infusion of the leaves is used as a disinfectant wash and liniment to treat pain, scratches, rheumatism, inflammation, and to get rid of body parasites. Used internally, the leaves have a splendid effect in the treatment of active hemorrhages, diarrhea and flux. They are also used in the treatment of syphilis, inflammatory fevers, neuralgia, paralytic conditions, tinnitus and angina. 

The leaves should be used with great caution however, and only under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Excess doses cause vertigo, headache, loss of sight, salivation, thirst, nausea, palpitations, slow pulse and difficulty in breathing. See also the notes above on toxicity.

Sources: 

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c798

http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/include/searchherb.php?herbsearch=Kalmia+latifolia&x=0&y=0