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Streptopus amplexifolius is often confused with:
Veratrum viride V. viride
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Trillium grandiflorum Flowers
Viola canadensis Viola canadensis
Viola pedata Viola pedata

Twisted Stalk Streptopus amplexifolius

Phonetic Spelling
STREP-toh-pus am-pleks-ih-FOH-lee-us
Description

The scientific name of this specimen is derived from a few sources.  The Greek word 'streptos' translates to twisted, while 'pous' means footed.  Put them together and these words refer to 90 degree twist in the flower stalk once it emerges from the base of the plants upper leaves.  In addition, 'amplexi' is to clasp, while 'folios' translates to the foliage.  These in turn refer to the manner in which the upper leaves clutch the stem.  

This perennial an erect, branched herb that can be found growing in its natural habitat that includes moist, mountain forests and along streams.   Its flowers which range from whitish to rose colored are solitary, 6-parted, and bell-shaped.  Its fruit is a red berry that hangs below the leaves.  One of the common names, Watermelon berry, refers to the shape of the fruits.  

The small, greenish-white flowers are solitary, and hang downward from the leaf axils.  There are typically 1 to 2 per leaf axil.  They are often hidden under the leaves and not visible.  The flower stalks can be up to 2" long, bent and or twisted.  

The flowers are followed by edible, oval shaped berries.  The plant's green shoots are also edible and are said to taste similar to cucumber when consumed raw.   The fruit is used in the preparation of soups and stews.  The tender young shoots can be eaten raw or cooked, however, consumption of large quantities is said to act as a laxative. Thus, the common name, 'Scoot berries'.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Often confused with some species of poisonous plants in the Veratrum family.  Caution should be used before consumption.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#moist soil#herbaceous#NC native#poisonous fruits#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#edible fruits#native wildflower#edible#herb#wildflower#herb garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#moist soil#herbaceous#NC native#poisonous fruits#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#edible fruits#native wildflower#edible#herb#wildflower#herb garden
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Streptopus
    Species:
    amplexifolius
    Family:
    Liliaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Fruits are consumable.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Temp. Northern Hemisphere, North America, Europe and Asia
    Play Value:
    Edible fruit
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herb
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Fleshy berries hang below the leaves. They can vary in color, ranging from light green to yellow-orange to red to dark purple. They contain many seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    One or two whitish-rose small rose flowers with recurved petals in each leaf axis.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Waxy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Obovate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are parallel-veined, egg-shaped with a sharply pointed tip. The underside is a paler green than the upper side and has a waxy feel. The base of the leaves grasps the stem, nearly encompassing the stem.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Zig Zags
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    The smooth flower stalk has a bend near the middle of the stem. The lower portion of the stem can be hairy.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Pond
    Slope/Bank
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Native Garden
    Shade Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer