GAULTHERIA

genus of about 100 species of upright or prostrate evergreen shrubs, of the heath family (Ericaceae), occurring in North and South America, Asia, and Australia. The plants are distinguished by alternate, ovate leaves, white or pink flowers, and round fruit that contains numerous minute seeds. G. shallon, the salal or lemonleaf of florists, is a slender, diffuse shrub of the California redwood forests; it grows 0.31.8 metres (16 feet) tall and has dark-purple edible berries. G. procumbens, commonly known as checkerberry, teaberry, or wintergreen (q.v.), is a creeping shrub with white, bell-shaped flowers, spicy red berries, and shiny, aromatic leaves. G. hispidula, or creeping snowberry, is a mat-forming evergreen with small, pointed leaves that give a spicy odour when crushed.