Slender Wintergreen is a native shrub of the western coastal states, Montana and Idaho. It is a small relative of the common lowland Salal (Gaultheria shallon). A creeping, slow-growing shrub, individual branches may reach a foot in length.

The two-inch shiny leaves are rounded with a pointed tip. The flowers are small and pinkish and are born on 6-inch leafy stems. A small, berrylike fruit decorates the plants in autumn. The plant is a unique addition to the garden.

This species grows in sites ranging from dry to boggy, typically at middle elevations in the Cascades and is found in sunny locations and partial shade.

The name "wintergreen" comes from the oil of a related species, Gaultheria procumbens.

Size: Six-inch
Family: Ericaceae
Scientific Name: Gaultheria ovatifolia