Gaultheria procumbens, commonly known as wintergreen, is a low-growing evergreen shrub native to North America. It typically reaches heights of 6 to 12 inches and features glossy, dark green leaves that turn reddish in the fall. The plant produces small, white to pink bell-shaped flowers in late spring, which develop into bright red berries by late summer. Wintergreen thrives in acidic, well-drained soils and is often found in forests and woodlands. The leaves contain methyl salicylate, a compound that gives them a characteristic minty aroma and is used in various medicinal and aromatic applications, including essential oils and topical pain relief products.