What is a creeping wintergreen?

Creeping wintergreen is a subshrub found in the northeastern United States that grows to 0.5 feet tall and 1 foot wide. It grows well in full or partial shade, so it is commonly used as ground cover.

This plant is also known as Gaultheria procumbens, eastern teaberry, spiceberry and American wintergreen. White flowers and red berries bloom in late summer, and the berries remain until winter. Both the 2-inch leaves and berries of the shrub smell like wintergreen, and both are edible. The berries can be eaten raw or used in cooking. At one time, dried leaves were used to make tea, and Native Americans found the plant had medicinal applications as well.