Gaultheria glomerata

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It can be spreading or lie along the ground. It grows 1 m tall. The stems can have white or rusty coloured hairs. The leaves are oval and 2-6 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. The flowering shoots are in the axils of leaves and have 7-15 flowers. The fruit are 6-9 mm across.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 2,500-4,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, South America, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fruit are made into juice.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Borrachera, Cachuito, Chigunda, Chita mikuna, Cuso pata, Pato de gallo, Mullaca, Pata de gallo, Taglli

Synonyms

Andromeda glomerata Cav.; Brossaea brachybotrys (DC.) Kuntze; Brossaea pichinchensis (Benth.) Kuntze; Gaultheria brachybotrys DC.; Gaultheria epigeoides Dombey ex Wedd.; Gaultheria petraea Wedd.; Gaultheria pichinchensis Benth.;