Gaultheria semi-infera
Gaultheria semi-infera
On the peat walls is a specimen of Gaultheria semi-infera native to western China and the Eastern Himalaya; where it was found growing at 2900metres in the Arun valley on a degraded hillside in amongst Rhododendron and Bamboo forest. In cultivation choose a position of semi shade where the soil will not dry out for establishment and best growth.
The young wood is a vermillion red colour with evergreen leaves that have roughly serrated edges and attractive venation. Fruits range from light to darker purple in colour and are full of fleshy pulp which holds the seeds protectively.