Chinese teaberry
Gaultheria hookeri

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

A low shrub. It has rough stiff hairs. It grows 30-100 cm high. It has creeping underground runners. The leaves are narrowly oval and 5-10 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. They taper to the tip and are rounded at the base. There are teeth along the edge. The leaves are leathery. They are shiny above and with dark brown hairs underneath. The flowers are white. They are in groups 2-5 cm long in the axils of leaves. The fruit are bright blue capsules.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to western China. It grows on the edge of spruce forests between 2,600-3,300 m altitude. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Tibet

How it is used for food

The leafy shoots are put over charcoal in a fire then put into boiling water to make tea.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea

How it is grown

In the Himalayas plants flower April to June and fruit June to August.

Its other names

Local names

Kalum, Kalumba

Synonyms

Gaultheria stapfiana Airy Shaw; Gaultheria veitchiana Craib;