Eastern Teaberry

(Gaultheria procumbens)

Eastern Teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens)

John Delano of Hammond, Indiana

LGPL

Image By: John Delano of Hammond, Indiana

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: John Delano of Hammond, Indiana | License Type: LGPL | License URL: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/lgpl.html | Uploader: Kalmia~commonswiki | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Gaultheria_procumbens.JPG | Notes: {{Information| |Description=Gaultheria procumbens: Habit with flowers |Source=Own photo, taken in Jutland. |Date=Oct 2005. |Author=[[User:Sten|Sten Porse]] |Permission={{self2|GFDL|cc-by-sa-2.5,2.0,1.0}} |other_versions= }} [[Category:Ericaceae]] [[Categ

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Gaultheria procumbens, commonly known as Eastern Teaberry, Checkerberry, Boxberry, or American Wintergreen, is a perennial evergreen shrub native to coniferous and mixed broadleaf-coniferous forests, as well as dry acidic soils of northeastern North America, from Newfoundland west to southeastern Manitoba, and south to Georgia. It grows as a ground cover, reaching only 10–15 cm (4–6 in) in height, with creeping stems that can spread widely. The plant features small, leathery, dark green leaves and produces bell-shaped flowers that are white, sometimes pink-tinged, each with five small teeth at the tip, measuring 8–10 mm (0.31–0.39 in) long. These are followed by bright red berries that persist into winter, providing visual interest and food for wildlife.

Eastern Teaberry is valued for its wintergreen-scented leaves and berries, which are used to flavor teas, candies, and medicinal products. It is often used as a ground cover in woodland gardens, rock gardens, and naturalized areas due to its low maintenance and ability to spread. It thrives in acidic, well-drained soils, and prefers part shade to full shade conditions, with low water requirements once established. While it is generally pest-free, it can suffer from leaf spot diseases in humid conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Shrub
Height: 0.25-0.5 feet
Width: 0.5-1 feet
Growth Rate: Slow
Flower Color: White
Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

Sun: Part Shade, Full Shade
Water: Low
Drainage: Fast, Medium

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fire Resistant, Fragrant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Coniferous and mixed broadleaf-coniferous forests, as well as dry acidic soils

Other Names

Common Names: Checkerberry , Creeping Wintergreen , Mountain-Tea , American Teaberry , Wintergreen , Boxberry , Eastern Wintergreen , Spring Wintergreen , Wintergrün , Petit Thé Des Bois

Scientific Names: Gaultheria procumbens , Gaultheria procumbens f. accrescens , Gaultheria procumbens f. suborbiculata , Gaultheria humilis , Gaultheria procumbens f. elongata , Brossaea procumbens , Gaultheria procumbens f. leucocarpa , Gaultheria procumbens f. procumbens , Gaultheria procumbens f. vitoidea , Gaultheria repens , Gautiera procumbens

GBIF Accepted Name: Gaultheria procumbens L.