Coinwort snowberry
Gaultheria nummularioides

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

A shrub which lies along the ground. It develops into a hummock with its twigs woven together. It grows 5-40 cm long. The leaves have short stalks. They are alternate. They are 0.8-2 cm long by 0.5-2 cm wide. They are oval and with fine hairs underneath. The flowers occur singly. They are in the axils of leaves. Flowers are reddish or white. The fruit is blue-black and 6 mm long.

There are about 170 Gaultheria species.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. In Nepal they grow between 2100-4100 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 9-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Himalayas, Indochina, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Tibet

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are also dried for tea drinks.

Edible parts

Fruit, fruit - tea

How it is grown

Plants are grown by seed or root offshoots.

In the Himalayas it flowers August to September and fruits October to February.

Its other names

Local names

Ban timala, Bhui ghangharu, Bibi phal, Kaali gedi, Kaligedi, Kalizar, MUssikane, Nobo, Phamanima, Pi-ga-la

Synonyms

Brossaea nummulariodes Kuntze; Gaultheria nummulariae DC.; Gaultheria nummularioides var. elliptica Rehder & E. H. Wilson; Gaultheria nummilarioides var. microphylla C. Y. Wu & T. Z. Hsu; Gaultheria repens Blume; Pernettya repens (Blume) Zoll. & Moritzi;