Gaultheria

Gaultheria procumbens Checkerberry / Wintergreen is a low growing shrub with elliptical, pointed, dark green, glossy leaves up to 5 cm long. In summer it has urn shaped white or pale pink flowers followed by an aromatic, scarlet fruit to 1.5 cm, which persists until spring. The whole plant smells of wintergreen. It was originally from North America. See here for the native Pyrola minor , Common Wintergreen.

Gaultheria mucronata Prickly Heath is a compact shrub with elliptical, toothed and spine tipped, dark green, glossy leaves up to 2 cm long. In summer it has urn shaped white or pink-flushed flowers followed by fruit coloured from purple-red to white. Originally from Chile and Argentina is now becoming established in heathland.