Ontario Trees & Shrubs 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: Shrubs of Ontario: 375    Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 128   

Native/Non-native: Native

For more information visit: Ontario Wildflowers

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 is a small trailing plant with tiny leaves.

Creeping Snowberry (Gaultheria hispidula) plants

Creeping Snowberry fruits are white, which gives this its common name.

Creeping Snowberry (Gaultheria hispidula) plants

A mat of Creeping Snowberry.


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)