Gaultheria procumbens

Gaultheria procumbens (Eastern Teaberry, Checkerberry, Boxberry or American Wintergreen) is a species of Gaultheria native to northeastern North America from Newfoundland west to southeastern Manitoba, and south to Alabama. It is a member of the heath family.

It is a small low-growing shrub, typically reaching 10–15 cm tall. The leaves are evergreen, elliptic to ovate, 2–5 cm long and 1–2 cm broad, with a distinct oil of wintergreen scent. The flowers are bell-shaped, 5 mm long, white, borne solitary or in short racemes. The fruit is an edible bright red berry 6–9 mm diameter.

It is endangered in parts of its native range. It is most common in acid soil.

Its leaves and branches also make a fine tea, through normal drying and infusion process. In order for the leaves to produce more than a whiff of the methyl salicylate, they need to be fermented in warm water for several days before drinking.

Teaberry is also an ice cream flavor in regions where the plant grows. It also inspired the name of Clark's Teaberry chewing gum.

Common names

Other common names include: Canada tea, checkerberry, deerberry, ground berry, hillberry, mountain tea, partridge berry, spiceberry, spicy wintergreen, spring wintergreen, wax cluster, and teaberry.

While this plant is also known as partridge berry, that name more often refers to the ground cover Mitchella repens.

References

• Blanchan, N. (2005). Wild Flowers Worth Knowing. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.