Gaultheria insana

Gaultheria insana is a small shrub in the heath family, Ericaceae. It is evergreen, so its leaves stay all year. Its home range runs from south-central Chile to southern Argentina. Kew places it in the temperate biome, a mild climate zone. It grows in open ground and in clearings within woods. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. Older names include Pernettya insana and Pernettya furens. Another is Gaultheria furiens. These names may appear in older plant records.

Plants For A Future gives a height of about 1.6 feet [0.5 metres]. This low, woody shrub suits the edge of a woodland garden. That source gives April to June as its bloom time. Each flower has both male and female organs. The supplied species records give no flower colour or leaf shape. They give no mature spread or facts about the bark.

Choose cool soil that holds moisture but does not stay boggy. It should have plenty of humus and no lime. The source lists sand, loam, and clay as suitable soils. It accepts soil from very acid through neutral. Its growing notes put more stress on soil with no lime. The same source gives mixed advice on light. It lists both sun and part shade as suitable. A woodland edge or a site with dappled shade fits these notes. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 5–9. Yet it warns that colder British sites may not suit this shrub.

Seed needs a cold spell before sowing. The source suggests four to ten weeks of chilling. Sow on the surface of moist compost with no lime. Keep it in a greenhouse with shade. Seeds may take one to two months to sprout at 20°C. Young seedlings can suffer from damping off, a disease. Take care with water and keep good airflow at this stage. Grow young plants in light shade through their first winter. Move them outdoors in late spring or early summer.

Do not treat the fruit as a garden food. Plants For A Future warns that eating it can cause intoxication. It can also cause confusion. Its account reports delirium after excessive intake. It also reports possible lasting mental harm from eating too much. A separate entry says there are no known hazards. That claim conflicts with the fruit warning. Heed the warning about the fruit and use caution. The supplied evidence shows no safe edible use. Nor does it show a practical treatment for illness.