Wintergreen, Gaultheria
procumens, also known as eastern teaberry is the primary natural source for
wintergreen oil.Sweet birch, Betula lenta, and yellow birch, B. alleghaniensis, were previously used,
but that source was unsustainable.Wintergreen
is a common name used for other things, but this species in not found in Alabama although
nurseries have it listed as hardy in zone 7.It could be used as a ground cover, but I have yet to see it thrive.
