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Plant Database

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Amazing Plants in North Carolina

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Gaultheria procumbens

Genus: Gaultheria - Species: procumbens - Family: Ericaceae

Phonetic Spelling: gol-THAIR-ee-ah pro-KUM-benz

Common Names:

  • American Wintergreen
  • Boxberry
  • Checkerberry
  • Common Wintergreen
  • Creeping Wintergreen
  • Eastern teaberry
  • Spreading Wintergreen
  • Teaberry
  • Wintergreen

Tags

white flowers
playground plant
wildlife friendly
evergreen
low maintenance
foundation planting
winter interest
bird friendly
fall color purple
edible fruits
woodland
fragrant leaves
NC native
rock garden
flowers early summer
glossy leaves
perennial
spring flowers
fruits fall
food source summer
food source fall
food source herbage
Audubon
heavy shade tolerant
Coastal FACU
leathery leaves
mat
mammals
food source soft mast fruit
understory planting
FACU Piedmont Mountains
food source winter
native groundcover
creeping
winter fruits

Quick Facts

  • Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
  • Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • USDA Zones:
    • 7a
    • 7b
    • 6a
    • 6b
    • 4a
    • 4b
    • 5a
    • 5b
    • 3a
    • 3b
  • NC Region:Not specified

  • Origin:Canada, North Central and Eastern U.S.A.

  • Life Cycle:
    • Woody
  • Plant Types:
    • Perennial
    • Ground Cover
    • Native Plant
  • Habit:Not specified

Distribution

N/A

Uses

Leaves were once used to make tea though it is no longer recommended. It was also used to treat arthtic pain and sore muscles. The leaves and fruit produce an oil that has been used as medicine, as well as in candies and chewing gum.

Gaultheria procumbens
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