Gaultheria adenothrix Maxim.

A small shrub. It grows 15 cm tall and spreads 60 cm wide. It spreads by underground runners or stolons. The above ground stems are arching, zigzag and hairy. The leaves are broadly oval and 3 cm long. The flowers are on slender red stalks. The fruit are red and 6 mm across.

Coniferous woods and sub-alpine thickets in N. and C. Japan. Edges of forests in more or less dry places; at elevations from 400-1,900 metres.

The fruit are eaten raw or cooked. They are sweet.

Plants can be grown from seeds. The seeds need extended cold treatment. They can also be grown by half ripe wood cuttings.