While walking around the kettle ponds of Nickerson State park I couldn’t help but notice Gaultheria procumbens (wintergreen) littered among the pine needles and brambles. Simple in design and barren of flower this time of year it would be easy to ignore it but for the sheer numbers of this three-leaf creeper. Here and there a bright red berry glistens in the late autumn sun. The plant is an indicator species of acidic and nutrient poor soils, conditions that are easily available on Cape Cod. I know the berries, and even leaves are edible in some fashion, although for the life of me I can’t think of a practical way to use this in a recipe. I will need to research this further. I do know that folks used to chew the leaves to combat tooth decay.
I have not discovered this plant in my garden yet, although I have a fair amount of pines and equally unforgiving soil. It is quite possible that I am not seeing it because so many other plants are there to distract me. I do have a patch of Chimaphila maculata (spotted wintergreen) in my yard. But then it catches the eye more easily, with its veiny white stripes. I’ve also seen this plant flower, and it is simply elegant on a miniature scale. Apparently, according to sources on the trusted internet, Chimaphila maculata is effective in treating skin eruptions, certain types of cancer, acute rheumatism, and syphilis. Of course exact preparations and dosage can’t be found easily. Nothing’s perfect.
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