Abstract: The genus Gaultheria has played an important role in the evolution of the family Ericaceae. However, agreement is lacking on the systematic position and relationships of and within Gaultheria. On the basis of molecular data, Gaultheria is not a member of the tribe Andromedeae in which it was traditionally treated but is in a tribe of its own, Gaultherieae, along with other related genera. Molecular analyses of samples of the genus from America and related genera have revealed that Gaultheria could be considered paraphyletic if the closely related genera of the “wintergreen group”, i.e., Diplycosia, Tepuia and Pernettya, are excluded. These genera should be treated as part of Gaultheria; however, an infrageneric system of the genus may not be well established without sampling the Asian members of the genus. Phylogenetic analyses have revealed that the evolutionary history and biogeography of Gaultheria and its allied genera are fairly complicated, because Gaultheria is widespread, being a typical amphipacific genus, in terms of the modern geographic disjunction. Speculating on the origin of Gaultheria, two different hypotheses were suggested, one of Gondwanan origin, and the other of Laurasian origin. In the present paper, recent advances in molecular phylogenetics and biogeography of Gaultheria are summarized and some problematical issues within the genus discussed.