American Wintergreen Gaultheria procumbens
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- gol-THAIR-ee-ah pro-KUM-benz
- Description
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Eastern Teaberry is an understory plant in the blueberry family. It is commonly found in hardwood forests with light to moderate shade and acidic soil. It will also grow in moist organically enriched soil and clay, and it grows best in moist well-drained soil. It makes an excellent groundcover in shady areas of the landscape, tolerating even heavy shade. Plant in a rock garden, woodland garden, or along a foundation. When the leaves are crushed, a wintergreen fragrance is released. Plants can be spaced 10-14 inches apart but will tend to spread and form a dense carpet. The round fleshy scarlet seed capsules are a food source for a variety of birds and small animals.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Aphids and thrips are occasional pests. Mildew and leaf spot are occasional diseases.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Pitt County Arboretum Containers
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Gaultheria
- Species:
- procumbens
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- 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.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Canada, North Central and Eastern U.S.A.
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruits are eaten by many wildlife from birdes to small mammals.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Edible fruit
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heat, drought, and soil compaction tolerant.
- Edibility:
- Leaves and fruits are used to make wintergreen oil which is used in gum, canyd and toothpaste. Fruits can be eaten raw or cooked in desserts or salads.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit forms as a berry-like capsule with a large fleshy red edible caly 3/8". Displays from September to November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Urn
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, pinkish-white, waxy urn-shaped flowers bloom from June to August, which form at the base of the leaves.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- New growth is light green with a wine-colored tinge. Simple, entire margin ellipitcal to oblog glossy dark green leaves turn purple in the fall. They smell and taste like wintergreen.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Rock Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Foundation Planting
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heavy Shade
