01.
A Bit of Botany
a little botanical information on wintergreen

description
Gaultheria procumbens a member of the Ericaceae family.

Wintergreen is a small low-growing shrub, that typically reaching 10–15 centimeters (3.9–5.9 in) in height. The leaves have a distinctive wintergreen scent are evergreen; they are shaped elliptic to ovate, 2–5 cm long and 1–2 cm broad. Wintergreen's white flowers are bell-shaped, about 5 mm in length, and are borne solitary or in short racemes.

Wintergreen's berry-like fruit is in actuality a dry capsule surrounded by fleshy calyx. The fruit is red and is about 6–9 mm diameter. Wintergreen spreads by means of long rhizomes, which are run along the top 20–30 mm of soil.

common names & nomenclature
The plant's common name of wintergreen refers to the plant's ability to remain "green in winter", as suggested by the Dutch wintergroen, and German Wintergrün.

Also known as:
checkerberry, boxberry, teaberry, hillberry, partridge berry, ground berry, hillberry, mountain tea, canada tea, wax cluster, eastern teaberry, american wintergreen, american mountain tea, canterberry, chickenberry, chinks, creeping wintergreen, deerberry, drunkards, gingerberry, ground tea, grouseberry, one-berry, procalm, red pollom, spice berry, squaw vine, star berry, spiceberry, spicy wintergreen, spring wintergreen, youngsters, ivory plum

02.
Where in the World
habitat and range for wintergreen

Gaultheria procumbens is native to northeastern North America from Newfoundland west to southeastern Manitoba, and south to Alabama.

03.
Cultivation & Harvesting
considerations for growing and harvesting wintergreen

climate
Wintergreen grows in woods and clearings, especially beneath evergreen trees in full to part shade.

soil
Prefers a moist but not too wet humus rich soil. A peat and moisture loving species, it requires a lime-free soil. Once it is well established it succeeds in dry soils and tolerates considerable drought.

growing
Division can be carried out at almost any time of the year, but works best in the spring just before new growth begins. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions. Can also be grown from seed or cuttings.

harvesting
The leaves can be gathered at any time from spring to early autumn, they are dried for later use.

preserving
Store dried wintergreen leaves in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

04.
The Rest of the Story
wintergreen history, folklore, literature, and more