Gaultheria depressa
Gaultheria depressa, commonly known as the mountain snow berry or alpine wax berry, is a small ground-hugging shrub of the heath family Ericaceae native to rocky alpine areas of Tasmania, Australia, and New Zealand. Description. In Australia, "Gaultheria depressa" is a prostrate shrub high and across. It grows larger in New Zealand. The small leaves can be oval or round and measure in length and have serrate margins. The small white tubular flowers appear from September to January and are followed by white or red fruit which is around in diameter. The berries are edible. Taxonomy. Joseph  Dalton Hooker described "Gaultheria depressa" in 1847 from a collection by Ronald Campbell Gunn at Ben Lomond in Tasmania. The species name is Latin "depressa" "flat". Analysis of DNA shows the next closest relative to "Gaultheria depressa" is the New Zealand species "Gaultheria antipoda", which suggests the Australian populations of "G. depressa" dispersed to Australia from New Zealand. The next closest relative to the two species is the New Zealand species "Gaultheria oppositifolia". Distribution and habitat. In New Zealand, the prostrate habit and dependent fruit shielded by foliage from above suggest it is suited for dispersal by lizards. Furthermore, the  ground weta species ("Zealandosandrus maculifrons") has been recorded eating the fruit. It is suitable for rockeries in gardens in temperate climates and has been available commercially in England. It prefers well-drained acidic soil in part shade. Uses. Early settlers in the southern district of New Zealand Otago used to make snowberry pies out of the "Gaultheria depressa" fruit. Varieties. This species has the following varieties: