Question: Dear Mr. Botanist, I found this low growing plant under a high-voltage right-of-way in Reading, MA. The area is very …
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Question
Dear Mr. Botanist, I found this low growing plant under a high-voltage right-of-way in Reading, MA. The area is very sunny and rocky, and it appears to be regularly cleared of vegetation. Could you identify?
Answer
Dear Stephan, the small ground cover with evergreen leaves and red fruits (berry-like capsules) is Gaultheria procumbens (eastern spicy-wintergreen). It is a fairly common subshrub (in the right habitats) and a native member of the heath family. Best wishes.
