Gaultheria procumbens
   compleat botanica    plants    specimen names    Specimen (Ga - Ga)   
 
 
   
This page was created using standard templates and sample data from
The Compleat Botanica.

Learn how you can publish your own plant pictures and plant-related data using
The Compleat Botanica.

 

 

Taxonomic
ranks

Details

 

Sponsors

 

 

Gaultheria procumbens

eastern teaberry
checkerberry
boxberry
partridge berry
wintergreen berry
teaberry
mountain tea

  family ericaceae 
  genus gaultheria 

More specimen entries
[prev]  [gaultheria procumbens]  [Next]

 

Identification
Genus  Gaultheria Species  procumbens Variety  Cultivar  Common names  eastern teaberry   checkerberry   boxberry   partridge berry   wintergreen berry   teaberry   mountain tea Family  ERICACEAE Specimen number  S11581 Data source  GrUnFr p73;HtZn p117;MedPl p213;Frgnt p289
 
Life cycle
Life form  Terrestrial Life cycle  Various Life span    Annual cycle  Evergreen Stature  Groundcover Growth form  Not applicable Growth habit  Various Overall height  3" - 1' Overall spread   
 
Climate
Sunshine  Partial to full shade Water  Moist, well drained Optimal soil texture  Various Acceptable soil pH  Soil pH 05-06 USDA hardiness  USDA zones 03a-08b AHS heat zones  Heat zones 08-03 Sunset climate zones  Not classified
 
Garden
Suitable for gardens  yes Nursery  Unknown Compost  no Size at acquisition  Unknown Garden location  Unknown Garden notes  Gaultheria procumbens has a colorful display of berries in the fall and early winter. The leaves and flowers of Eastern teaberry (also known as checkerberry, boxberry, partridge berry, wintergreen berry, teaberry and mountain tea) have a mildly perfume scented aroma. This plant can survive very cold winters with annual averages as low as -40� Fahrenheit. It needs a bit of a cold spell with temperatures below 15� Fahrenheit to do its best. This species needs summer days with high heat. Partial to full shade is needed for this plant to do its best. It prefers moist, well drained soils.
 
Special qualities
Tolerates drought  no Tolerates high humidity  no Tolerates seaside conditions  no Insect resistant  no Disease resistant  no Deer resistant  no Best uses    Symbiosis  Attracts butterflies  no Attracts hummingbirds  no Autumn foliage  no Colorful berries  yes Desirable qualities    Other interest  mint flavored berries persist until spri Other interest color  Other interest period   
 
Adverse factors
Common pests  Poisonous parts  Poisonous indications  Internal poison  no Dermatologic poison  no Livestock poison  no Mechanical injury  no Hay fever pollen    Hay fever season    Adverse qualities   
 
Herbal medicine
Medicinal properties  anti-inflammatory   antiseptic   digestive tonic   antirheumatic   carminative   antineuralgic Medicinal parts  Leaves   Fruit   Essential oil Has medicinal uses  yes Do not self-administer  yes Do no use if pregnant  no Legally restricted  no Toxicity precautions  Not to be taken internally. Medicinal notes  The berries are globular bright red 3/4 inch berries with wintergreen spiciness. Gaultheria procumbens is typically used as a flavoring. In the distillery, Eastern teaberry (sometimes called checkerberry, boxberry, partridge berry, wintergreen berry, teaberry and mountain tea) is made into liqueur. This plant is most often used fresh. This species has too many possible beneficial herbal uses to fully enumerate. A few of its uses include: as an anti-inflammatory, as an antiseptic, as a digestive tonic and as an antirheumatic. See the medicinal properties section for the full list. This plant is only to be administered with proper professional knowledge. The leaves together with the fruit and the essential oil are considered to be the valuable parts by the herbalist. Not to be taken internally.
 
Traditional uses
Parts used  Traditional uses  Contemporary uses  Fragrance  crushed leaves release their scent. flowers have a pleasant fragrance Fragrance parts  Leaves   Flowers Fragrance intensity  Mild Fragrance category  Perfume Dye parts  Dye color 
 
Cultivation
Propagule  Various Pollination method  Self fertile Planting style    Crop spacing    Row spacing    Cold frame  Planting period    Harvesting period  Dec 01 - Feb 28 Frost tolerance    Heat requirement    Fertilizer  Typical Time to harvest 
 
Nutrition
Is edible  no Culinary uses  Fresh   Flavoring   Liqueur Nutritional value  Edible parts  Berries Description of edible parts globular bright red 3/4 inch berries with wintergreen spiciness. Flavor / texture 
 
Horticulture
Horticulture notes  No special fertilization is necessary for Gaultheria procumbens to produce fruit. December and February are the usual harvest months. Eastern teaberry (in some places called checkerberry, boxberry, partridge berry, wintergreen berry, teaberry and mountain tea) is a wildflower and is thought to originate from North America.
 
Herbarium
Tag needs printing  no Collection notes  Gaultheria procumbens is evergreen. Leaves: Eastern teaberry (locally known in some parts as checkerberry, boxberry, partridge berry, wintergreen berry, teaberry and mountain tea) has leaves that emerge red before turning green in summer and bronze in autumn. Flowers: This plant has bell shaped flowers.

Page 2044 of 4998

Last reviewed November 01, 2004   

 

  Order your copy here