What is the common name for Gaultheria procumbens?

Gaultheria procumbens is commonly known as Wintergreen. This plant is an evergreen ground cover that produces aromatic leaves and small, red berries. The distinctive wintergreen flavor comes from the leaves, which contain methyl salicylate, a compound similar to the oil of wintergreen. This property has made the plant popular in various uses, including herbal remedies and flavoring.

The other options refer to different plants: Barrenwort is typically the common name for the genus Epimedium, known for its attractive foliage and flowers; Green Galium refers to a group of plants in the Galium genus, often known as bedstraw; Sweet Woodruff is a name associated with Galium odoratum, recognized for its fragrant leaves and use in traditional herbal practices. Understanding these distinctions reinforces the importance of scientific names in accurately identifying plants.