Gaultheria tomentosa

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It can grow to 4 m tall. The bark is reddish brown and cracks in long strips. The leaves are oval and 2-5 cm long by 0.6-1.4 cm wide. They taper to a long tip. The flowering shoots have 7-12 flowers. The fruit are 6-10 mm across and blue-black.

There are about 170 Gaultheria species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows between 2,700-3,400 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Ecuador, Peru, South America

How it is used for food

The fruit are pulpy and sweet.

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Duraznillo, Gallo lulun Huevo de gallo, Shamsque, Sierilla

Synonyms

Brossaea tomentosa (Kunth) Kuntze;