Common Name:

General Information

Gaultheria myrsinoides is a low-growing, sometimes prostrate, evergreen shrub, reaching a height of about 15cm.
The plant produces an edible fruit which is sometimes gathered from the wild and consumed locally. It is often grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it makes a good ground cover.

Known Hazards

One report says that the fruit is poisonous[]. This is somewhat surprising in what is normally seen as a toxin-free genus.

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - Costa Rica to the Andes of N. Chile.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.15 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Gaultheria myrsinoides is a plant of higher elevations in the tropics, where it is usually found at elevations above 2,000 metres, though it can descend to below 1,000 metres in Costa Rica. The plant only tolerates light and short-lived frosts and so, in the temperate zone, it will only succeed outdoors in the mildest regions[]. Some forms in cultivation have proved to be fairly hardy, surviving fairly cold winters in southern Britain and also producing fruit[].
Prefers a cool moist but not boggy humus rich soil in shade or semi-shade[, ]. A peat and moisture loving species, it requires a lime-free soil[, ]. Prefers a position in full sun, but it also tolerates light shade[, ].
This species (in the broad sense) is extremely variable and has at times been treated as several distinct species (see the list of synonyms!)[].
Closely related to Gaultheria pumila leucocarpa.
This is an interesting plant for the rock garden.
Dioecious. Male and female plants must usually be grown if seed is required. This species, however, does not need a male pollinator in order to fruit well.
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. The purple to black, globose fruit is up to 15mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A good ground cover plant for a sunny position or light shade, forming dense thickets[]. Plants should be spaced about 1 metre apart each way[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

The seed requires a period of cold stratification. Pre-chill for 4 - 10 weeks and surface sow in a lime-free compost in a shady part of the greenhouse and keep moist[]. The seed usually germinates well, usually within 1 - 2 months at 20°c, but the seedlings are liable to damp off. Watering them with care and making sure they get ample ventilation will reduce this risk. Watering them with a garlic infusion can help to prevent damping off[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are about 25mm tall and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter[]. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. The seedlings are susceptible to spring frosts and so it might be wise to give them some protection in their first spring or two outdoors..
Cuttings of half-ripe wood 3 - 6cm long, mid summer in a frame in a shady position. They form roots in late summer or spring[]. A good percentage usually take.
Division in spring just before new growth begins. 'Drop' the plants 12 months earlier by digging them up and replanting them deeper in the soil so that the branches are buried and can form roots. This works best in a sandy soil[]. It is best to pot up the divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse until they are established. Plant them out in the summer.
Layering in September/early autumn. Takes 12 months[].