Wintergreen

Gaultheria procumbens

SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

Creeping evergreen shrub to 15cm tall. Leaves are thick, leathery and shiny-dark. Flowers are white, waxy, drooping and bell-shaped. Berries are globose and bright red, and they persist throughout winter. Also called Boxberry, Squaw Plum and Drunkards.

DISTRIBUTION

Native to northern and eastern North America.

USES

Fragrant leaves contain methyl salicylate, which is similar to aspirin and may be useful for combatting rheumatism. It is extracted as an oil; the oil content of frosted leaves, which turn purple, is thought to be higher than that of unfrosted leaves. The natural oil has now been largely replaced by synthetic compounds.

Bilberry

Vaccinium myrtillus

SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

Small, much-branched evergreen shrub with green twigs. Leaves are bright green and oval, with slightly toothed margins. Flowers are globose, with fused greenish-pink petals. Fruits are globose blue-black berries. Also called Blaeberry and Whortleberry.

DISTRIBUTION

Occurs throughout temperate and subarctic regions of the world.

USES

Very sweet and with a high vitamin C content, the fruits can be eaten raw and, where abundant enough, used in pies, preserves, jellies, fruit stews and wine. Reputed to improve night vision and help eye disorders such as macular degeneration.

Cranberry

Vaccinium oxycoccos

SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

Small, spreading evergreen shrub to 12cm tall, with dark green leaves. Flowers have a pinkish-red corolla deeply divided into four lobes. Fruits are globose red berries. Also called Crone Berry, Fen Grapes and Moorberries.

DISTRIBUTION

Occurs in cooler parts of the northern hemisphere.

USES

Fruits are very acidic and almost inedible raw, but where they are abundant they can be used to make jams, jellies and fruit stews. Used to help prevent cystisis and recurrent urinary infections.