Creeping Snowberry, Moxie-plum
Gaultheria hispidula

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

A small creeping plant. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 10-30 cm long. The leaves are alternate and simple. They are oval and dark green above and pale underneath. Underneath it is dotted with brown hairs. The leaves are about 5 mm long and are rolled under at the edges. The flowers are small and white. They are about 2 mm long. They occur singly in the axils of the leaves. They are cup shaped. The fruit is a white mealy berry. They are up to 1 cm across. The fruit are edible.

There are about 170 Gaultheria species. It contains salicylic acid.

Where it is found

It is a cool temperate plant. It grows in evergreen mossy woods. It grows on bogs and logs. It can grow in fairly wet soils. It suits hardiness zone 3.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Canada, Japan, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The fresh leaves are used for tea. They can also be eaten fresh or cooked. The juicy berries can be eaten raw or cooked. They can be used for preserves but need pectin for jam. Caution: Oil of wintergreen can be toxic and should not be eaten in large amounts.

Fruit are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds.

It is relatively fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Birchberry

Synonyms

Arbutus filiformis Lam.; Arbutus thymifolia Aiton; Chiogenes hispidula (L.) Torr. & A. Gray; Chiogenes serpyllifolia Salisb.; Gaultheria serpyllifolia Pursh; Vaccinium hispidulum L.; and others