Ontario Wildflowers website

Creeping Snowberry
Gaultheria hispidula

Creeping Snowberry (Gaultheria hispidula) Other common names: Moxieplum, Snowberry

Other scientific names: Chiogenes hispidula, Vaccinium hispidulum

French names: Chiogéne hispide

Family: Heath Family (Ericaceae)

Distinctive features: Sub-Shrub

Similar species:
  •   Black Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) - Fruits are black.


Flowers: Spring, Summer;  White;  4 parts (petals)

Leaves: Evergreen

Habitat: Forests

Edible: Berries are edible; taste mildly of wintergreen.

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 128    Shrubs of Ontario: 375   

Native/Non-native: Native

For more information visit: Ontario Trees and Shrubs

Photographs: 112 photographs available, of which 3 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Creeping Snowberry (Gaultheria hispidula) leaves

Creeping Snowberry plants trail along the ground or on rocks amidst moss.

Creeping Snowberry (Gaultheria hispidula) plant

An entire Creeping Snowberry plant.

Creeping Snowberry (Gaultheria hispidula) fruit

A ripe Creeping Snowberry fruit, which is edible.


Range map for Creeping Snowberry (Gaultheria hispidula)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)