Gaultheria procumbens Checkerberry (Ericaceae) Evergreen shrub

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Gaultheria procumbens
Checkerberry
Evergreen shrub
(1 Page of 5)

The Gaultheria procumbens plant species is found in Eastern N. America. Introduced and established on one site in Britain, in Scotland. It is a member of the Ericaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Checkerberry.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Gaultheria procumbens
Common Name:  Checkerberry
Family:  Ericaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  The pure distilled essential oil is toxic in large doses[222].

Mature Height:  0.15   Mature Width:  1

Habitat:  Sterile woods (poor acid soils) and clearings[43, 62]. Especially found beneath evergreen trees[213].

Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or cooked[2, 3, 14, 95, 101]. Pleasant but insipid[11]. The fruit is not at all insipid, it has a very strong spicy taste of germolene, just like being in a hospital waiting room[K]. Best after a frost, the fruit hangs onto the plant until spring if it is not eaten by birds etc[62, K]. The fruits can also be used in pies, or made into jams etc[183]. The fruit is up to 15mm in diameter[200]. Young leaves - raw[62, 102, 106]. A pleasant wayside nibble if used when very young[183]. Dry and powdery according to our taste buds[K]. A very agreeable tea is made from the fresh leaves[3, 95, 183]. A stronger tea can be made by first fermenting the bright red leaves[183]. 'Oil of wintergreen' can be distilled from this plant. It is used to flavour beer, sweets, chewing gum etc[183].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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