Creeping wintergreen, Alpine wintergreen
Gaultheria humifusa

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

A small shrub. It grows 20 cm high. It is creeping and forms mats. The leaves are oval to round and 1-2.5 cm across. The flowering shoots are in the axils of leaves and the flowers occur singly. The fruit are 6 mm across. They are red.

There are about 170 Gaultheria species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is very hardy to cold. It grows in the rocky mountains between 900-3,700 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zone 7.

Countries/locations it is found in

North America (country/location of origin), USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. They can also be cooked, preserved or used in jams and pies. The young leaves are cooked and eaten. The fresh and dried leaves are used for tea.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves - tea, leaves

How it is grown

Plants flower June to July and fruit July to September.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Brossaea myrsinites (Hook.) Kuntze; Gaultheria myrsinites Hook.; Vaccinium humifusum Graham; Vaccinium obtusum Pursh;