Factsheet S06: Gaultheria species

There are some 200 species in the genus Gaultheria, originating from North and South America, Japan to India, Australia and New Zealand. Many of these evergreen shrubs have potential uses: many (if not all) have edible fruit; some have medicinal uses and are a source of oil of wintergreen; and many are excellent ground cover plants. This article describes the characteristics and uses of all Gaultheria species which are recorded as useful in some way.