Gaultheria humifusa
About
Gaultheria humifusa is a species of shrub in the heath family which is known by the common names alpine wintergreen and alpine spicy wintergreen. It is native to western North America, from British Columbia to California to Colorado, where it grows in moist subalpine mountain forests. It is a low, spreading shrub which may be quite small, forming flat patches on the ground or amongst rock and leaf litter. The stems are less than 20 cm (7.9 in) in length and have small oval-shaped leaves 1 to 2 cm long. It bears solitary bell-shaped flowers with white to light pink corollas and golden anthers which, after pollination, mature into bright to dull red berrylike fruit capsules. The leaves and fruit of Gaultheria humifusa are edible.
- Family
- Ericaceae
How to use it
Alpine wintergreen can be used for both culinary and ornamental purposes. Its leaves can be brewed into a flavorful tea, while the bright red berries add a pop of color to dishes. Additionally, this shrub can be planted in gardens to create a natural, low-maintenance ground cover that thrives in moist, rocky areas.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Gardening tip
When planting alpine wintergreen, make sure to choose a spot with moist, well-drained soil. This plant prefers to grow in partial shade, so consider placing it near taller plants that can provide some shelter.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
In the kitchen
The leaves and berries of alpine wintergreen are edible, making it a delightful addition to your foraging adventures. You can use the leaves to make a refreshing herbal tea, while the berries can be enjoyed fresh or added to desserts for a burst of flavor. Just be sure to gather them responsibly!
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Ecology
How it lives
- Propagated by
- Seed
Full detailsevery field on the record, to copy
- Name
- Gaultheria humifusa
- Slug
- gaultheria-humifusa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Genus
- Gaultheria
- Species
- humifusa
- Wikidata QID
- Q646908
- Propagule type
- seed
- Container suitable
- No
- Indoor suitable
- No
- OSSI pledged
- No
- Hazard level
- 1
- Data completeness
- 43
Generated sections & citations
summarywikipedia
fun_facts_kidsllm_openai · confidence 0.90
- sprigloom (taxonomy)
- sprigloom (taxonomy)
- wikipedia (description.summary) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaultheria_humifusa
fun_facts_adultllm_openai · confidence 0.90
- sprigloom (taxonomy)
- sprigloom (taxonomy)
- wikipedia (description.summary) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaultheria_humifusa
cookingllm_openai · confidence 0.90
- wikipedia (description.summary) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaultheria_humifusa
how_to_usellm_openai · confidence 0.90
- wikipedia (description.summary) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaultheria_humifusa
gardening_tipllm_openai · confidence 0.90
- wikipedia (description.summary) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaultheria_humifusa