Western Teaberry

Description

Gaultheria ovatifolia is a species of shrub in the heath family which is known by the common names western teaberry and Oregon spicy wintergreen. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to California, where it grows in high mountain forests. This is a small, low shrub with stems only about 35 centimeters in maximum length. The pointed, oval-shaped leaves are 2 to 3 centimeters long and green. The plant bears small, solitary bell-shaped flowers in shades of white to very light pink with reddish bracts. The flowers hang like tiny bells. The fruit is a red berrylike capsule. It was a food for the Hoh and Quileute of the Pacific Northwest.