Gaultheria hispidula - (image 1 of 4)
Taxonomy
Family: Ericaceae
Habitat
Bogs, swamps and wet woods.
Associates
Distribution
Eastern Canada, south through WV, west to OH, MI, WI, MN, northern ID and WA, and most of southern Canada.
Morphology
Low, creeping, evergreen. Stems prostrate. Leaves numerous, less than 1.5cm long, with coarse reddish bristles below. Flowers infrequent, 4-parted, white, campanulate. Fruit white, mealy, wintergreen flavored.
Notes
Flowers May and June
Wetland indicator: Facultative wetland
Very similar in appearance to cranberry except for the presence of reddish bristles on the leaves and stems. Often found growing on decaying logs amongst mosses.
References
Gleason, Henry A. and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. Second Ed.
The New York Botanical Garden. Bronx, NY
Swink, F. and G. Wilhelm. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region.
Indiana Academy of Science. The Morton Arboretum. Lisle, Illinois.
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Michael Hough © 2004 |