Eastern spicy-wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)

Along the trail's edge in the beginning we found some wintergreen. We identified this plant by its short plant height, waxy type leaves, and leaf shape. The leaves are dark green which turn reddish in winter and there are three to a plant. When flowering, the plant produces bell-shaped nodding flowers.

Eastern spicy-wintergreen is found in a variety of habitats and is usually found in carpet-like patches along forest edges, forests, meadows, and occasionally in wetlands. An interesting characteristic of this plant is when you take a leaf and break it open, it has a distinct 'minty' wintergreen smell! This plant was also used by Indigenous tribes as a cold remedy and analgesic. Species of wildlife that utilize this plant are chipmunks, grouse, mice, birds, and deer who all eat the leaves during the winter.

This fragrant plant has cultural history and ecological significance which makes it an important stop on our tour!