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Native Plant Database

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Gaultheria hispidula (Creeping snowberry)
Kutcher, Daniel

Gaultheria hispidula (L.) Muhl. ex Bigelow

Creeping snowberry, Creeping-snowberry

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

Synonyms: Chiogenes hispidula

USDA Symbol: gahi2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A creeping, matted, delicate evergreen shrub, 6 in. high. The leafy, somewhat woody stems and underside of the leaves are covered in bristly hairs. The flowers are translucent white, shallow bells with the four petals giving an almost square shape no more than 3mm across. Flowers are followed by bright, white berries, much larger than the flowers and tasting of wintergreen.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf: Dark Green
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: CT , ID , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , VT , WA , WI , WV
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Lab. to B.C., s. to NJ, WV, MI, MN & n. ID
Native Habitat: Bogs; swamps; mossy, conifer woods
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N), SPM(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Cold, acid soils.
Conditions Comments: A suitable ground cover for cold, shady, acid sites.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Bog Fritillary (Boloria eunomia)

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Gaultheria hispidula is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Bog Fritillary
(Boloria eunomia)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Description: The prostrate stems are practically all rooted at intervals along their length. These natural layers can be separated in the fall and planted in peat. Always keep shaded.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

Mr. Smarty Plants says

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

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

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-11-26
Research By: TWC Staff

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