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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Prostrate, Spreading or horizontal.

Physical Characteristics

Gaultheria procumbens is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from October to December. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Gaultheria repens Raf. [Illegitimate]. Brossaea procumbens (L.) Kuntze. Gaultheria humilis Salisb.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves
Edible Uses: Condiment Tea

Fruit - raw or cooked[2, 3, 14, 95, 101]. Pleasant but insipid[11]. The fruit is not at all insipid, it has a very strong spicy taste of germolene, just like being in a hospital waiting room[K]. Best after a frost, the fruit hangs onto the plant until spring if it is not eaten by birds etc[62, K]. The fruits can also be used in pies, or made into jams etc[183]. The fruit is up to 15mm in diameter[200]. Young leaves - raw[62, 102, 106]. A pleasant wayside nibble if used when very young[183]. Dry and powdery according to our taste buds[K]. A very agreeable tea is made from the fresh leaves[3, 95, 183]. A stronger tea can be made by first fermenting the bright red leaves[183]. 'Oil of wintergreen' can be distilled from this plant. It is used to flavour beer, sweets, chewing gum etc[183].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Analgesic Antiinflammatory Antirheumatic Aromatic Astringent Carminative Diuretic Emmenagogue
Stimulant Tonic

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[238]. 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[213]. This species was at one time a major source of methyl salicylate, though this is now mainly synthesized[238]. The leaves, and the oil, are analgesic, anti-inflammatory, aromatic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, stimulant and tonic[4, 21, 165]. An infusion of the leaves is used to relieve flatulence and colic[254]. 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[4, 238]. The oil is sometimes used in the treatment of cellulitis, a bacterial infection that causes the skin to become inflamed[254]. Some caution is advised, especially if the oil is used internally, since essential oil is toxic in excess, causing liver and kidney damage[4, 238]. It should not be prescribed for patients who are hypersensitive to salicylates (aspirin)[238]. 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[238].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Essential

An essential oil is obtained from the leaves by steam distillation[2, 14, 57, 213]. In order to obtain the oil, the leaves need to be steeped for 12 - 24 hours in water[4]. The essential oil is used as a food flavouring, medicinally (the original source of Wintergreen oil used as a liniment for aching muscles) and in perfumery and toothpastes. In large doses it can be toxic[165, 244]. A good ground-cover plant for shady positions though it requires weeding for the first year or so[28, 31, 197]. Forming a dense tuft-like carpet, it roots as it spreads and should be spaced about 45cm apart each way[208]. A dynamic accumulator gathering minerals or nutrients from the soil and storing them in a more bioavailable form - used as fertilizer or to improve mulch.

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator Food Forest Ground cover Scented Plants

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Ground cover, Massing, Rock garden, Woodland garden. Prefers a moist but not boggy humus rich soil in shade or semi-shade[11, 182]. A peat and moisture loving species, it requires a lime-free soil[11, 182]. Succeeds in dry soils once it is well established and tolerates considerable drought[208]. Grows well under the thin shade of deciduous shrubs or evergreens[4, 11]. A very cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -35°c[160]. Plants can become invasive when growing in good conditions[182]. Some named forms have been developed for their ornamental value, 'Dart's Red Giant' has specially large berries[182]. All parts of the plant are aromatic, the bruised leaves having the scent of wintergreen[245]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Special Features: North American native, Fragrant foliage, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 8 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. An evergreen. A clumping mat former. Forming a dense prostrate carpet spreading indefinitely [1-2]. The root pattern is flat with shallow roots forming a plate near the soil surface [1-2]. The root pattern is stoloniferous rooting from creeping stems above the ground [1-2].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

The seed requires a period of cold stratification. Pre-chill for 4 - 10 weeks and then surface sow in a lime-free compost in a shady part of the greenhouse and keep the compost moist[78]. The seed usually germinates well, usually within 1 - 2 months at 20°c, but the seedlings are liable to damp off. It is important to water them with care and to ensure that they get plenty of ventilation. Watering them with a garlic infusion can also help to prevent damping of[K]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are about 25mm tall and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter[K]. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. The seedlings are susceptible to spring frosts so might need some protection for their first few years outdoors. The leaves remain very small for the first few years[11]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood 3 - 6cm long, July/August in a frame in a shady position. They form roots in late summer or spring[78]. A good percentage usually take. Division can be carried out at almost any time of the year, but works best in the spring just before new growth begins[K]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Alpine wintergreen, Creeping wintergreen, Mountain tea,

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada, Québec (south), Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba (southeast), United States, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Illinois (north), Minnesota, Wisconsin, Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Gaultheria adenothrix		Shrub	0.3	8-11		LM	FS	M	3	0	4
Gaultheria antipoda	Snowberry	Shrub	1.2	8-11		LM	FS	M	2	0
Gaultheria appressa	White Waxberry	Shrub	2.0	-		LM	SN	M	2	0
Gaultheria cumingiana		Shrub	3.0	9-11		LM	S	M	2	2
Gaultheria depressa	Mountain Snowberry	Shrub	0.1	8-11		LM	SN	M	2	0	3
Gaultheria fragrantissima	Fragrant Wintergreen	Shrub	1.0	8-11		LM	FS	M	2	2	2
Gaultheria griffithianum		Shrub	1.8	-		LM	SN	M	2	0
Gaultheria hispida	Snowberry	Shrub	0.9	8-11		LM	S	M	2	1
Gaultheria hispidula	Creeping Snowberry	Shrub	0.1	5-9	F	LM	S	MWe	4	1	4
Gaultheria humifusa	Alpine Wintergreen, Alpine spicywintergreen	Shrub	0.1	6-9		LM	SN	M	4	0	3
Gaultheria insana		Shrub	0.5	5-9		LMH	SN	M	1	1
Gaultheria japonica	Creeping Snowberry	Shrub	0.1	5-9	F	LM	S	MWe	4	1	3
Gaultheria macrostigma		Shrub	0.5	7-10		LM	S	M	2	0	3
Gaultheria mucronata	Prickly heath	Shrub	1.5	5-9		LM	SN	M	4	0	3
Gaultheria myrsinoides		Shrub	0.2	8-11		LM	SN	M	2	0	3
Gaultheria nummularioides		Shrub	0.1	8-11		LM	SN	M	2	0	3
Gaultheria ovatifolia	Mountain Checkerberry, Western teaberry	Shrub	0.2	5-9		LM	FS	M	3	0	3
Gaultheria pumila		Shrub	0.1	6-9	S	LM	SN	M	2	0
Gaultheria pumila leucocarpa		Shrub	0.2	6-9		LM	SN	M	2	0	3
Gaultheria pyroliifolia		Shrub	0.2	5-9	S	LM	FS	M	2	0
Gaultheria pyroloides		Shrub	0.3	5-9		LM	S	M	3	0
Gaultheria rigida		Shrub	0.0	-		LM	FS	M	1	0
Gaultheria sclelophylla		Shrub	0.0	-		LM	FS	M	2	0
Gaultheria shallon	Shallon, Salal	Shrub	1.2	6-9	M	LM	FSN	DM	5	2	3
Gaultheria trichophylla		Shrub	0.1	7-10		LM	SN	M	2	0	3
Gaultheria x wisleyensis		Shrub	1.0	5-9		LM	FS	M	2	0	3

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Gaultheria procumbens - L.