Gaultheria ovatifolia A. Gray

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Credits

Article from Bean's Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles

Recommended citation
'Gaultheria ovatifolia' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/gaultheria/gaultheria-ovatifolia/). Accessed 2024-03-29.

Glossary

calyx
(pl. calyces) Outer whorl of the perianth. Composed of several sepals.
corolla
The inner whorl of the perianth. Composed of free or united petals often showy.
apex
(pl. apices) Tip. apical At the apex.
globose
globularSpherical or globe-shaped.
ovate
Egg-shaped; broadest towards the stem.

References

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Credits

Article from Bean's Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles

Recommended citation
'Gaultheria ovatifolia' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/gaultheria/gaultheria-ovatifolia/). Accessed 2024-03-29.

A low evergreen shrub of spreading or trailing habit from 8 to 12 in. high, the branches erect, sparingly furnished with comparatively long hairs. Leaves broadly ovate, pointed at the apex, rounded or slightly heart-shaped at the base, very shallowly toothed of hard rather leathery texture and arranged regularly on the shoots about 14 in. apart, 34 to 112 in. long, 12 to 114 in. wide, dark glossy green and wrinkled above, margins of young leaves hairy; stalk 116 to 112 in. long, hairy. Flowers solitary in the leaf-axils, each on a stalk 112 in. long, furnished with numerous bracteoles. Calyx five-lobed, bristly, the lobes about half as long as the tubular part. Corolla white or pinkish, bell-shaped, 15 in. long, with five small teeth at the mouth. Anthers not awned. Fruits scarlet, 14 in. wide, globose, described as very spicy and delicious.

Native of western North America from the northernmost part of California through Oregon to southern British Columbia, including Vancouver Island. It is not common in cultivation and reputed to be difficult.


G humifusa (Graham) Rydb.

Synonyms
Vaccinium humifusum Graham
G. myrsinites Hook

This species is nearly akin to G. ovatifolia but is of neater, closer, more tufted habit and about 4 in. high. The leaves are about half the size and the calyx is glabrous. There is no constant difference in the size of the fruits. It is quite hardy and suitable for the rock garden. Native of western N. America.