Clasping twistedstalk • Streptopus amplexifolius
{Streptos = twisted, podus = foot; amplexor = to surround, folius = leaf}
The kinked flower/berry stalks, greenish-white flowers, and clasping leaf bases seen in these photos are all key identifying characteristics of clasping twistedstalk. Berry colour is not a reliable ID feature as they vary between yellow, red (as seen at top right), and sometimes dark purple (as seen at left). Photos by Gillian Harvey (bottom) and Kelly Fretwell.
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Identification
Clasping twistedstalk is a perennial lily species with branching stems that grow up to 1 m tall. These stems have nodes where leaves attach; the stems are sometimes bent at these nodes to form a zig-zagging line. The egg- or wide lance-shaped leaves are 5-14 cm long and their bases clasp the stem so it is almost entirely encircled. The flowers (and berries) grow on kinked stalks with 1-2 flowers per stalk. They are greenish-white and bell-shaped with flared tips. The fruits vary in colour from yellow to red or even dark purple, and are about 1 cm long.
Habitat & Range
Clasping twistedstalk grows along streams, in moist, rich forests, in thickets and clearings, and along avalanche tracks from low to subalpine elevations. It is a common species in BC. It is found throughout most of North America (see range map), as well as Eurasia and Greenland.
There are two varieties of this species: var. amplexifolius and var. chalazatus. These varieties have different but overlapping ranges, as well as slight structural differences. Var. amplexifolius is the variety found along the BC coast.
Similar Species
Rosy twistedstalk (Streptopus roseus) is a smaller lily species with relatively straight, usually unbranched stems. Its leaf bases do not encircle (clasp) the stem and have shiny undersides. Its flowers are usually pink with white tips, though the colour can also be greenish-yellow with reddish-purple streaks. Single flowers attach to non-kinked stalks. The flowers to not have the widely flared tips of clasping twistedstalk flowers.
Human Uses
Clasping twistedstalk plants and berries are considered poisonous. The plant has traditional medicinal purposes in some coastal First Nations cultures, including in poultices for cuts (Haida), to induce labour in overdue pregnancies (Makah), and using the berry juice to treat burns.
Intriguing Info
The berries are called owl-berries, witch-berries, and black-bear berries in traditional Haida culture, and frog-berries in traditional Kwakwaka'wakw culture.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/79273-Streptopus-amplexifolius
Clasping twistedstalk is a perennial lily species with branching stems that grow up to 1 m tall. These stems have nodes where leaves attach; the stems are sometimes bent at these nodes to form a zig-zagging line. The egg- or wide lance-shaped leaves are 5-14 cm long and their bases clasp the stem so it is almost entirely encircled. The flowers (and berries) grow on kinked stalks with 1-2 flowers per stalk. They are greenish-white and bell-shaped with flared tips. The fruits vary in colour from yellow to red or even dark purple, and are about 1 cm long.
Habitat & Range
Clasping twistedstalk grows along streams, in moist, rich forests, in thickets and clearings, and along avalanche tracks from low to subalpine elevations. It is a common species in BC. It is found throughout most of North America (see range map), as well as Eurasia and Greenland.
There are two varieties of this species: var. amplexifolius and var. chalazatus. These varieties have different but overlapping ranges, as well as slight structural differences. Var. amplexifolius is the variety found along the BC coast.
Similar Species
Rosy twistedstalk (Streptopus roseus) is a smaller lily species with relatively straight, usually unbranched stems. Its leaf bases do not encircle (clasp) the stem and have shiny undersides. Its flowers are usually pink with white tips, though the colour can also be greenish-yellow with reddish-purple streaks. Single flowers attach to non-kinked stalks. The flowers to not have the widely flared tips of clasping twistedstalk flowers.
Human Uses
Clasping twistedstalk plants and berries are considered poisonous. The plant has traditional medicinal purposes in some coastal First Nations cultures, including in poultices for cuts (Haida), to induce labour in overdue pregnancies (Makah), and using the berry juice to treat burns.
Intriguing Info
The berries are called owl-berries, witch-berries, and black-bear berries in traditional Haida culture, and frog-berries in traditional Kwakwaka'wakw culture.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/79273-Streptopus-amplexifolius
References
Pojar, J. and MacKinnon, A. (1994). Plants of Coastal British Columbia. Vancouver, BC: Lone Pine Publishing. P. 101.
Streptopus amplexifolius (L.) DC. In Klinkenberg, Brian. (Ed.). E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Plants of British Columbia. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Accessed 10/04/2014.
MacKinnon, A. (2013). Clasping Twistedstalk – Steptopus amplexifolius. Raincoast Education Society. Accessed 10/04/2014.
Authors and editors of page
Kelly Fretwell and Brian Starzomski (2014).
Pojar, J. and MacKinnon, A. (1994). Plants of Coastal British Columbia. Vancouver, BC: Lone Pine Publishing. P. 101.
Streptopus amplexifolius (L.) DC. In Klinkenberg, Brian. (Ed.). E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Plants of British Columbia. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Accessed 10/04/2014.
MacKinnon, A. (2013). Clasping Twistedstalk – Steptopus amplexifolius. Raincoast Education Society. Accessed 10/04/2014.
Authors and editors of page
Kelly Fretwell and Brian Starzomski (2014).