Gaultheria procumbens // Creeping Wintergreen
Origin: Native to Eastern North America
Etymology/Cultural Associations: Genus name Gaultheria honors Jean-Francois Gaultier, who was the king’s physician in Quebec from 1742-1756. He was also an avid botanist and plant collector. Species epithet and common name reference the plant’s low-spreading habit.
Gaultheria procumbens was historically used by colonists to make an oil which exhibits astringent, stimulant, and diuretic properties. Various Native American tribes, including the Algonquin, Cherokee, Chippewa, and Iroquis, used this plant for medicinal purposes and to make tea. Current uses of Wintergreen include the flavoring of chewing gum, candy, and toothpaste.
Habitat: Red Maple Swamp community. Grows best in organically rich, evenly moist, acidic, well-drained soils in part to full shade, but established plants can tolerate some dry soils. Perform best in climates with cool summers. Commonly found in forest edges, forests, meadows and fields, and woodlands.
Mature Size: 0.25-0.5′ tall with 0.5-1′ spread. “Creeping” habit due to rhizomatous characteristic.
Leaves: Alternate. Simple. Glossy, leathery, elliptic to oblong leaves are dark green and grow up to 2″ long. Leaves turn partially reddish-purple in the Fall.
Flower/Fruit: Monoecious. Waxy, bell-shaped, white flowers demonstrate nodding character and grow about 3/8” long. They bloom from the leaf axils in early summer (June-July), before giving way to edible bright red berries (3/8” diameter) that persist through Winter. Berries have characteristic Wintergreen flavor and provide food for various birds and mammals.
[www.missouribotanicalgarden.org]
[www.gobotany.newenglandwild.org]