Gaultheria

( Bot. ) A genus of plants, order Eri cacese, the fruit of which is a 5-valved capsule, covered with the enlarged and fleshy tube of the calyx. They are natives of temperate regions. G. procumbens (see Fig. 144) is a common plant in this country as far south as Virginia, and bears the names of Partridge - berry, Deer-berry, Winter Green, Box-berry, Checker-berry, and Mountain Tea. It is about 4 or 5 inches in height. with small whitish flowers and red berries, which are eatable, but not safe in any considerable quantity, because of the pungent volatile oil which they contain. Brandy in which they have been steeped is used as a tonic. The whole plant has an agreeable aromatic odor and taste, owing to the presence of volatile oil. which, when extracted, is used in medicine as a stimulant, also by druggists for flavoring syrups, and to a considerable extent in perfumery, under the name of Oil of Winter Green. The leaves are used both as an astringent and as a stimulant; and an infusion of them is sometimes used as a substitute for tea. The oil is isomeric with anisic acid.