Streptopus
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- STREP-toh-pus
- Description
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Twistedstalk genus is native perennial herb in North America and Eurasia in the lily family. They are primarily found in colder and temperate regions and are primarily shade-loving plants. They will spread by underground rhizomes and produce 1-2 flowers at a time that tend to hide under the leaves. The blooms are white, greenish-yellow or rose in color. They are generally found in deeply shaded areas of forests. Some are listed as endangered in some areas.
These plants need shade and humus-rich soils. They can be used as a ground cover for a shaded area or woodland garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Streptopus amplexifolius
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Streptopus amplexifolius
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Streptopus
- Family:
- Liliaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used in herbal medicine
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Temp. Northern Hemisphere
- Edibility:
- The fruits have been used in soups and stews. The tender young shoots can be eaten cooked or raw and have a cucumber flavor. It is not recommended to overeat this plant due to its laxative effect.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Round berry-like drupe is orangish to dark red and hangs below the leaves
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- White, greenish-yellow or rose, solitary, 6-parted flowers are 1/4-1/2 inch in size. 1-2 blooms are produced on a slender stem arising from a leaf node. Flowers tend to hide under the leaves. Blooms May-June
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The elliptic to ovate leaves are numerous, stemless and clasping at the base. The base is rounded to cordate. Leaves are 2 to 4 inches long, ¾ to 1¾ inches wide. Short hairs are present on the margins
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Description:
- Green stems zig-zag between the alternate leaves giving them a twisted look
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heavy Shade
