Wintergreen Tea, Fragrant wintergreen
Gaultheria fragrantissima

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows to about 3 m tall. The leaves are 3-13.5 cm long and 1.5-5 cm wide. They are sword shaped and taper to the tip. They are leathery and have teeth along the edge. They are bright green but develop a brown underside. They have a smell of wintergreen when crushed. The flowers are bell shaped. They are 6 mm wide. The flowers are whitish. They have a scent. The fruit are round and purplish when ripe.

There are about 170 Gaultheria species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Nepal they grow between 1200-2600 m altitude. In Northeastern India it grows between 2,000-2,800 m above sea level. The grow on rocky hillsides in forested areas. It suits hardiness zones 9-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

In India plants flower December to January and fruit May to October.

Its other names

Local names

Akyawsi-bin, Chanchhewaa, Chauthy, Dhasingar, Dhasingre, Gandapuro, Gantien thom, Goenhli, Indian wintergreen, Jathyroid, Jirhap, Kaloma, Kalombar, Khwuno, Machino, Musikane, Qia k dou xi, Shagsinmrep, Shep-Sheng, Sohling-thrait, White heather, Yenna annu

Synonyms

Arbutus laurifolia Buch.-Ham.ex D.Don; Gaultheria fragrans D.Don;