Wintergreen (_Gaultheria procumbens_) is a low-growing, broad-leaved,
evergreen plant with a creeping stem. The shoots from this stem grow to
a height of 4 to 5 inches and bear solitary white flowers, which are
followed by red berries. These berries are edible and are widely known
as teaberries or checkerberries. Wintergreen is a common plant in woods
and clearings from eastern Canada southward to the Gulf States, but its
collection in quantity is somewhat difficult. Both the dry herb and the
oil form marketable products.
Like other woodland plants, wintergreen thrives only in partial
shade, and plantings should be made in a grove or under a specially
constructed shade, such as is used for ginseng or goldenseal. A fairly
good growth may be expected in soil which is thoroughly mixed with
leaf mold to a depth of 4 inches or more. Wild plants may be used for
propagation. Divisions of these may be set in the fall or spring, about
6 inches apart each way, in permanent beds.
Wintergreen is usually gathered in October or at the end of the growing
season. The plants are carefully dried and packed in bags or boxes for
marketing. For the production of the volatile oil the plants are soaked
in water for about 24 hours and then distilled with steam. Over 22,000
pounds of wintergreen oil were produced in this country in 1909 and
6,000 pounds in 1914.
The prewar price of the oil distilled from the wintergreen plant as
quoted in the wholesale drug markets generally ranged from $3 to $5
a pound. Recently the lack of labor has reduced the output of oil,
and in consequence the price has advanced. The oil became practically
unobtainable on the markets in October, 1919, at which time it had
reached a price of $11 a pound. Collectors usually receive from 4 to 5
cents a pound for the dry herb. The results of numerous trials indicate
that, on account of the small yield, wintergreen production under
cultivation is not likely to be profitable at the prices quoted.