Achlys triphylla – vanilla-leaf
Common Name
vanilla-leaf
Alternate Common Names
- deer foot;
- sweet after death
Family
Berberidaceae
Scientific Name
Achlys triphylla
Soil Moisture Regime (SMR)
- Medium (M)
- Wet (W)
Soil Nutrient Regime (SNR)
- Rich (R)
Video link
Hitchcock, C. Leo, and Arthur Cronquist. Flora of the Pacific Northwest: An Illustrated Manual © 1973. Reprinted with permission of the University of Washington Press.
Photo Gallery
General / Habitat
- Perennial herb
- Common to moist and shady forests in our region, particularly in openings or along streambanks
- Low to middle elevations
Key Identifying Characteristics
- Form: Single leaves growing upwards from extensive rhizome
- Leaves: On long stalks (10-30 cm), with 3 large, asymmetrical, fan-shaped leaflets, no stem leaves
- Flowers: borne in showy spike on stem taller than leaves, flowers small, and lacking both sepals and petals but bearing several long, white stamens
- Fruit: Dark brown to reddish purple achenes, crescent-shaped with leathery ridge
- Other: Vanilla-like fragrance when dried
Interesting Characteristics
- Saanich peoples of Vancouver island used the plant for bug repellent
External References
Sources
Douglas, G.W. et al (Editors). 1998-2002. Illustrated Flora of British Columbia, Volumes 1 to 8. B.C. Min. Environ., Lands and Parks, and B.C. Min. For., Victoria, B.C.
Pojar, J. and A. MacKinnon. 2014. Plants of Coastal British Columbia Including Washington, Oregon & Alaska. B.C. Ministry of Forestry and Lone Pine Publishing. Vancouver, B.C.