Wintergreen (Teaberry)

Gaultheria procumbens

Illustration: Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) red berries

Identification: Low evergreen groundcover; glossy oval leaves; small red berries. Crushed leaves smell unmistakably of wintergreen/mint.

Dangerous look-alikes: Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens) — also has red berries and is edible, but leaves lack the wintergreen scent; no danger, just different. The scent is the confirmation.

Edible parts: Red berries; leaves for tea.

Season and habitat: Berries persist through winter. Oak-pine woods, shady banks.

Preparation: Berries eaten fresh — mild wintergreen flavor. Leaves steeped for teaberry tea. Source of natural methyl salicylate — avoid concentrated oil internally.