Checkerberry (Gaultheria procumbens, Sp. Pl.: 895 (1753))

Family: Ericaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 895 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Gaultheria

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. & E. Canada to NC. & E. U.S.A.

Description

Checkerberry, scientifically known as Gaultheria procumbens, is a charming and resilient plant belonging to the Ericaceae family. First described in detail in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, its delicate and intricate nature has fascinated plant enthusiasts for centuries.

Found predominantly in the cool, temperate regions of Central and Eastern Canada, as well as North Central and Eastern United States, Checkerberry thrives in acidic and well-drained soils, often in coniferous forests and shady wooded areas. Its adaptability to harsh northern climates and attractive features make it a popular choice for gardens and natural landscapes in these areas.

Checkerberry is a low-growing, evergreen shrub with an average height of about 15 centimeters. It is easily recognizable by its glossy, dark green leaves that emit a pleasant, spicy aroma when crushed. During the fall and winter months, these leaves sometimes take on a reddish hue, adding seasonal interest to the plant’s appearance.

The plant also produces small, bell-shaped, white or pinkish flowers in late spring to early summer, which later give way to brightly colored red berries. These berries are not only visually appealing but also edible, boasting a distinctive minty flavor reminiscent of wintergreen. Historically, the berries and leaves of Checkerberry have been used in traditional medicine and as a flavoring agent in various culinary applications.

Due to its charming aesthetic and hardiness, Checkerberry is not only a staple in natural woodland environments but also a beloved addition to ornamental gardens. Its ground-covering growth habit makes it an excellent choice for erosion control and for providing a lush green carpet in shaded garden areas.

Gaultheria procumbens, with its storied legacy and wide geographical range, continues to captivate plant lovers and gardeners alike with its unique combination of beauty, resilience, and versatility.

Common Names

Eng: checkerberry, creeping wintergreen, eastern teaberry, eastern wintergreen, mountain-tea, teaberry, wintergreen, spring wintergreen
Deu: wintergrün
Fra: gaultherie, petit thé des bois, thé des bois, gaulthérie couchée, petit thé, pommes de terre, thé rouge
Swe: tuvvaktelbär
Cym: gweunlwyn ymlusgol, gweunlwyni ymlusgol
En: Checkerberry, Creeping wintergreen, Mountain-tea, Teaberry, Wintergreen, Eastern teaberry, Eastern wintergreen, Spring wintergreen, Mountain Tea, Partridge-berry, Yeaberry
Am: የቁራ ሻይ
Ar: عنب الأرض
Zh: 東部茶莓
Cs: Libavka poléhavá
Da: Nedliggende Bjergte
Fi: Lamosalali
Fr: Petit thé des bois, Gaultherie, Gaulthérie couchée, Thé des bois, Petit thé, Pommes de terre, Thé rouge, Gaulthérie du Canada, Thé de Terre-Neuve, Thé du Canada
De: Wintergrün, Niedere Scheinbeere, Niederliegende Rebhuhnbeere, Niederliegende Scheinbeere, Rote Teppichbeere
Hu: Kúszó fajdbogyó
It: Gaultheria
Mk: Зимзелен
Fa: انگورک
Pl: Golteria rozesłana
Ru: Гаультерия лежачая
Sv: Tuvvaktelbär
Cy: Gweunlwyn ymlusgol, Gweunlwyni Ymlusgol

Synonyms

• Gaultheria procumbens f. accrescens (Fernald & Hodgdon)
• Gaultheria repens (Raf.)
• Gaultheria procumbens f. elongata (Svenson)
• Gaultheria humilis (Salisb.)
• Brossaea procumbens ((L.) Kuntze)
• Gaultheria procumbens f. vitoidea (E.H.L.Krause)
• Gautiera procumbens ((L.) Torr.)
• Gaultheria procumbens f. leucocarpa (MacKeever)
• Gaultheria procumbens f. suborbiculata (Fernald)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Great Britain (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Jan 9, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 9, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 9, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 9, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 7, 2019 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Oct 8, 2021 by Doležalová Eva (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 6, 2021 by Tiziana Cherubini (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Cooper, G.A. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 7, 2022 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2018 by cecile desmoulins (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Dec 1, 2019 by DarekDeviel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 1, 2019 by DarekDeviel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 7, 2022 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2021 by Marilyse Goulet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 21, 2022 by Erin mcintyre1015 (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Dec 25, 2021 by Nassim Ainouz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 2, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 28, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 18, 2022 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 10, 2019 by Mathieu Neyret (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2020 by Joseph Moulaison (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 9, 2021 by Fabien CBN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 25, 2021 by Li to the sa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 17, 2021 by Destri Toups (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 16, 2020 by Didier Levassort (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 13, 2020 by Matthias Koch (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 29, 2022 by Sophie ROBIN (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2882753)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:330655-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Gaultheria procumbens L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Stoloniferous

Growth habit: Subshrub, Shrub

Growth rate: Slow

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 4.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 9

Soil nutriments: 2