Snowberry, Bush snowberry
Gaultheria antipoda

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It can be low and spreading or upright. It grows about 30-200 cm high. The branches are covered with fine silvery hairs and brownish bristles. The leaves are oblong. They are 15 cm long. They are thick and leathery. The leaves are deep green. They have blunt teeth. The leaves are shiny and have very easy to see veins. The leaves often turn red in winter. The flowers are small and red or white. The fruit are white or sometimes red and 12 mm wide.

There are about 170 Gaultheria species. (At least all the ones in New Zealand have edible fruit)

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate plant. It grows in alpine and subalpine regions in New Zealand. It needs a good moist soil rich in humus. It suits hardiness zones 8-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

New Zealand (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Koropuku, Rohutu, Takapo, Taupuka

Synonyms

Arbutus serpyllifolia Lam.; Gaultheria antipoda var. erecta Cheeseman; Gaultheria epiphyta Colenso; Gaultheria fluviatilis A. Cunn.;