Snowberry (Gaultheria depressa var. novae-zelandiae)

Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Gaultheria
Species: Gaultheria depressa
Scientific name: Gaultheria depressa var. novae-zelandiae
Common name: Snowberry, Mountain Snowberry, Karopuka

Mountain Snowberry (Gaultheria depressa var. novae-zelandiae) is a prostrate spreading evergreen dwarf shrub (20-30 cm across) from subalpine forests and alpine areas of New Zealand. It is found mainly on the lower parts of the mountains, less common above the scree. It is present on Mt Egmont/Taranaki.
The leaves are thick and leathery 5-10mm long on very short petioles. It flowers from November to February. It develops attractive fruits which vary in size an colour which ranges from white, pink and red. These fruits are 3-4 mm across and appear from January to April. 
The berries are edible. Early settlers in Otago use to make snowberry pies.

The white berries of the Mountain snowberry photographed February Mt Egmont/Taranaki
Gaultheria depressa var novae-zealandiae.jpg


Snowberry Gaultheria depressa var. novae-zelandiae. novae-zelandiae -6.JPG

Snowberry Gaultheria depressa var. novae-zelandiae. novae-zelandiae -5.JPG

Gaultheria depressa var novae-zealandiae-001.JPG

A form with red berries, Photographed Stratford side of Mt Egmont/Taranaki. Late March.
Gaultheria depressa var. novae-zelandiae-002.JPG

Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/