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Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Gaultheria procumbens (Eastern teaberry)
Kutcher, Daniel

Gaultheria procumbens

Gaultheria procumbens L.

Eastern Teaberry, Wintergreen, Checkerberry

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: GAPR2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)

A low, woody ground cover, wintergreen is grown for its evergreen foliage, flowers and fruits. Two to six inch branches arise from creeping, underground stems and bear 1-2 in. long, oval, shiny, dark green leaves which turn reddish with the advent of cold weather. The creeping stem of this low, evergreen shrub has upright branches with white, bell-shaped, nodding flowers, solitary or in groups of 2 or 3 in the leaf axils. Aromatic red fruits follow the flowers.

The genus was named for Dr. Gaultier, a Canadian physician of the mid-18th century.

 

From the Image Gallery

19 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 6 inches tall.
Leaf: Dark Green
Fruit: Red

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Bloom Notes: White with pinkish filaments.

Distribution

USA: AL , CT , DC , DE , GA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Distribution: Nf. to Man., s. to New England, GA & AL mts., WI & MN
Native Habitat: Conifer or oak woods & clearings; bogs

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Very variable.
Conditions Comments: Quite tolerant of shade but grows and flowers best is sunny openings with light shade during midday.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Chipmunks, grouse, mice, birds and deer eat the leaves during winter.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Fragrant Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds

Propagation

Description: Protrate stems are rooted at practically all intervals along their length. These natural ground layer sections are easily removed and transplanted. Make cuttings in the early summer before the stems/runners become woody. Plant in a sand/peat mixture, store through the winter at near-freezing temperatures.
Seed Collection: Collect the fruit in the fall.
Seed Treatment: Moist stratify for 1-2 months.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Evergreen plants safe for horses in Louisville, Kentucky
May 16, 2010
I have a horse farm in Louisville, Ky. I want to plant evergreen plants along the walls in front of the horse barns. What types of plants are not toxic to horses can I use? Thank you so much for all y...
view the full question and answer

Groundcover to reduce erosion for shady area in New York
May 05, 2009
We live on a lake with gravelly and clay soils, lots of wind and little sun. I am looking for a native ground cover that will help reduce erosion over some of the steep slopes facing south (under shad...
view the full question and answer

Groundcover for sunny yard in New Jersey
July 23, 2008
Hi. I'm looking for ground cover for a mostly sunny section of my yard. The ground we are looking to cover is next to a slight hill with in a few feet of an in ground pool. I would like something tha...
view the full question and answer

Removing and replacing juniper bushes
June 20, 2008
Hi! I'm pulling up juniper bushes. (just don't like it) I'm getting down to the roots now on one side and I'm having a hard time getting them up. Any recommendations. They are near my drive...
view the full question and answer

Native plants to stop pond bank erosion
June 04, 2008
I recently purchased a home with a small pond in which a nearby stream daylights. The former owner placed large field stone around the pond and the small stream; however, the area around the pond and...
view the full question and answer

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: FACU FACU FACU FACU FACU
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Gaultheria procumbens in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Gaultheria procumbens in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Gaultheria procumbens

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-10
Research By: TWC Staff

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