Wintergreen

Wintergreen, also teaberry, common name for any member of a genus of evergreen shrubs of the heath family, and in particular for the species native to eastern North America. This shrub, no more than 15 cm (6 in) high, has creeping stems from which grow stalks topped by glossy, leathery, serrate leaves; the white or pinkish flowers appear below. The berrylike fruits are brilliant scarlet. The whole plant is sometimes eaten for its spicy flavor, which is due to a volatile oil. The oil distilled from the leaves has been used as a flavoring agent, a local antiseptic, and an ingredient of liniments; it is now produced synthetically as methyl salicylate (see Salicylic Acid). Several plants of other families are also called wintergreen.

Scientific classification: Wintergreens make up the genus Gaultheria of the family Ericaceae. The wintergreen native to eastern North America is classified as Gaultheria procumbens.