The Checkerberry is peculiarly an American plant, well known by its
pleasant aromatic flavor, its shining evergreen leaves, its delicate
white flowers, and its scarlet berries. There are no wild fruits so
attractive to young persons, from the time they begin to redden in the
autumn, and all through the winter, when the ground is open, until they
are seen hanging on the vine with the blossoms of spring. Indeed, this
fruit is not perfected until it has remained on the bush during the
winter. The severest cold has no effect upon it; and the berries
increase in size, after the spring opens, until they become as large as
strawberries.
This plant is very abundant in all woods in New England, and seems to be
confined to no particular soil or situation. Indeed, I doubt whether
another woody plant can be found so generally distributed throughout the
New England forest. If it has any preferences, they seem to be the lower
slopes of wooded hills and mountains. But I have seen it in all
locations where it can enjoy the protection of trees, in evergreen as
well as deciduous woods; for though the leaves of the pine prevent the
growth of any considerable underwood, the Checkerberry is always
abundant in the openings of a pine forest.