Gaultheria humifusa, commonly known as Alpine Spicy Wintergreen, is an evergreen subshrub native to coniferous and mixed forests, as well as alpine and subalpine zones in the Western United States and Western Canada. It typically forms low, spreading mats that hug the ground, often found nestled among rocks and leaf litter. This plant rarely exceeds 20 cm (7.9 in) in height and features small, oval-shaped leaves that are 1 to 2 cm (0.39 to 0.79 in) long. During the summer, it produces solitary, bell-shaped flowers with white to light pink corollas and golden anthers. These flowers are quite showy and, once pollinated, develop into bright to dull red berry-like fruit capsules that are both ornamental and edible.

Alpine Spicy Wintergreen is valued for its ground-covering ability, edible leaves and fruits, and its resilience in cold, mountainous environments. It is often used in rock gardens, as an understory plant in woodland gardens, and for naturalizing in wild areas. While it can tolerate full sun, it thrives in part shade, especially in hotter climates, and prefers moist, acidic, well-drained soils. It is a low-maintenance plant, but gardeners should be aware of potential leaf spot diseases. This species is not known for aggressive roots or invasiveness, making it a safe choice for most garden settings.CC BY-SA 4.0