The Gaultheria genus, a member of the Ericaceae or heath family, is a diverse group of shrubs found across the globe. While some of these plants produce flavorful, edible berries, others have unpalatable or even potentially toxic fruit. Foragers and gardeners must be able to distinguish between species to ensure safety.
Edible Gaultheria Species
American Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)
American Wintergreen, also known as Eastern Teaberry or Checkerberry, is perhaps the most well-known edible species in the genus. Native to northeastern North America, this low-growing, evergreen shrub features glossy green leaves and bright red, berry-like fruit. The berries, which have a characteristic minty, wintergreen flavor, are edible and have been used for food by indigenous peoples for centuries. Both the leaves and berries can be used to make tea or flavor candies and desserts. However, it's important to consume them in moderation due to the presence of methyl salicylate, an aspirin-like compound.
Salal (Gaultheria shallon)
Found along the Pacific coast of North America, salal is a larger shrub with dark purple, edible berries. The berries can be consumed raw or cooked and are often used to make jams and jellies. Salal leaves are also used in floral arrangements.
Alpine Wintergreen (Gaultheria humifusa)
This small, creeping shrub is native to western North America and is known for its small, red, edible berries. It grows in moist, subalpine forests, and both the leaves and fruit are considered edible.
Gaultheria Species with Inedible or Questionable Berries
Prickly Heath (Gaultheria mucronata)
Gaultheria mucronata, also known as prickly heath or Chilean tea berry, is a species from Chile and Argentina that is often grown as an ornamental plant. Its berries come in a range of colors, from white to pink to purple. There is confusion surrounding the edibility of G. mucronata berries, with some texts claiming toxicity while others state they are edible, though often bland. A significant risk is that ornamental plants may have been treated with pesticides, making them unsafe to eat.
Other Insipid Species
Many other Gaultheria species exist, but most do not produce berries with a pleasant flavor. For instance, Gaultheria hispidula (creeping snowberry) has a spicy flavor when crushed, but its fruit is not widely consumed. Unless a species is positively identified as edible, it is best to avoid consumption.
The Critical Difference: Berries vs. Concentrated Oil
It is vital to distinguish between consuming fresh, edible berries and ingesting the concentrated essential oil of wintergreen. The oil is extremely potent and can be lethal in small doses, especially to children. It contains a very high concentration of methyl salicylate and is used primarily in topical pain creams and some flavorings under strict manufacturing controls. Never consume concentrated wintergreen oil. The fresh berries contain significantly lower amounts of the compound, making small, raw quantities safe for consumption by most people, unless allergic to aspirin.
Important Foraging Safety Checklist
- Positive Identification: Always identify a plant using multiple sources, noting leaf shape, fruit characteristics, and geographic location. When in doubt, leave it out.
- Smell Test: For wintergreen (G. procumbens), crushing a leaf should produce a distinct minty aroma. If the crushed leaves lack this scent, the plant is not a true wintergreen.
- Avoid Contamination: Never forage from roadsides or areas where pesticides may have been sprayed. Do not consume berries from ornamental plants in gardens or nurseries.
- Eat in Moderation: Even for safely identified species, consume berries in small quantities. For those with aspirin allergies, all wintergreen products should be avoided.
Comparison of Key Gaultheria Species
| Feature | American Wintergreen (G. procumbens) | Prickly Heath (G. mucronata) |
|---|---|---|
| Edibility | Edible, with minty flavor; eat in moderation. | Debatable/confusing; often bland or unpalatable; ornamental. |
| Berry Color | Bright red. | Variable (white, pink, red, purple). |
| Native Range | Northeastern North America. | South-central Chile and southern Argentina. |
| Growth Habit | Low-growing, creeping shrub. | Upright shrub, often taller. |
| Aroma | Leaves and berries have a minty, wintergreen aroma when crushed. | Typically lacks the wintergreen aroma. |
The Bottom Line
While some Gaultheria berries are safe and delicious, the genus is not one to approach without caution. Only certain species, primarily G. procumbens (wintergreen), G. shallon (salal), and G. humifusa, are reliably edible. It is the responsibility of the forager to know the specific plant they are harvesting and to understand the critical difference between the fresh berries and the highly toxic concentrated oil. When in doubt, it is always safest to admire the berries' beauty without consuming them.
For more in-depth botanical information about the genus, refer to the Wikipedia entry for Gaultheria.
