Gaultheria Kalm ex L.
Evergreen, erect or prostrate shrubs, occasionally tree-like. Lvs usually alternate, rarely opposite, usually toothed; petiole short or occasionally 0. Fls in terminal or axillary racemes or panicles, less commonly solitary, (4)-5-merous, pedicellate, with bracts and bracteoles. Calyx lobed, usually deeply so, accrescent. Corolla lobed, urceolate to campanulate. Stamens 10, included; anthers with 2 or 4 awns or obtuse. Disc 10-lobed. Ovary glabrous. Fr. a 5-valved capsule invested by enlarged and fleshy calyx and thus berry-like, rarely calyx persistent but dry (5 N.Z. spp.). Seeds numerous, minute.
Key
5
Fls in a simple terminal raceme, sometimes 2-3 racemes present; branchlets ± puberulent, lacking setose hairs
Fls usually in a sparingly branched terminal or axillary raceme, sometimes forming a terminal panicle; branchlets with setose and sometimes other hairs
6
Lvs 7-15-(25) mm long, usually broad-elliptic to suborbicular; base ± rounded; racemes usually simple
Lvs (6)-20-45-(57) mm long, usually elliptic or narrow-elliptic; base usually cuneate, sometimes almost rounded; racemes usually sparingly branched
A
Lamina of lvs generally 20-57 mm long, elliptic, narrow-elliptic, or elliptic- lanceolate, coriaceous
var rupestris
Lamina of lvs generally (6)-15-30 mm long, elliptic, broad-elliptic, or elliptic- obovate, subcoriaceous
var subcorymbosa
A
Lamina of lvs usually ± orbicular, sometimes elliptic; margins ± persistently setose, entire or crenulate
var depressa
Lamina of lvs usually elliptic, sometimes suborbicular or orbicular; margins crenulate or crenate, soon glabrous or glabrate
var novae-zealandiae
c. 150 spp., temperate regions, montane tropics and subtropics. Native spp. 7, naturalised 1.
