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| Identification |
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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
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| Life cycle |
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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
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| Climate |
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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
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| Garden |
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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.
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| Special qualities |
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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
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| Adverse factors |
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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
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| Herbal medicine |
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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.
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| Traditional uses |
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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
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| Cultivation |
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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
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| Nutrition |
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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
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| Horticulture |
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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.
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| Herbarium |
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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.
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