Creeping waxberry, Mountain snowberry
Gaultheria depressa

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

A herb or small shrub. It is low growing and creeping. It is 10-20 cm high and spreads 30-75 cm across. The leaves are small and 1 cm long. They are rounded and dark green. The upper surface is shiny. The edges have blunt teeth and there are bristles along the edges. The leaves have short stalks. The flowers are white and bell shaped. They grow in the axils of the leaves near the ends of the stem. The fruit is a capsule with a white or red fleshy covering. They are 8-10 mm across.

There are about 170 Gaultheria species.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate plant. It grows in the mountains. It often grows in grassy or boggy locations. It is also often in sheltered rocky outcrops. It needs well drained acid soil. It suits hardiness zones 8-9. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Tasmania (country/location of origin), New Zealand (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed, cuttings or by dividing the clump.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Gaultheria antipoda var. depressa (Hook.f.) Hook.f.; Gaultheria depressa var. novae-zelandiae D. A. Franklin;