Al Schneider's Rocky Mountains Plant Descriptions

White Twisted-stalk
Streptopus amplexifolius
Lily family (Liliaceae)

White Twisted-'s leaves and dainty flowers on long stalks dangling from the leaf axils, all make for a very attractive plant. By August, bright red, oval appear. Although some maintain that the may be eaten raw or cooked (some saying they taste like watermelons, some saying cucumber), others indicate that the are toxic. "Streptopus" means "twisted foot." Many people have a hard time distinguishing between Streptopus amplexifolius, Maianthemum amplexicaule, Maianthemum stellatum, and Prosartes trachycarpa.


©2007 Walter Siegmund

Description

, 24-40" tall. Broad leaves clasp a stem that slightly twists (zigzags) at each leaf . , gray-green on underside. A single white to yellow-green flower, hangs under each leaf on a long slender that has almost a right angle kink (twist) to it. Flowers consist of 3 petals and 3 that curl backward. are bright red oval- .

Field Marks

Small white-green flower on long slender stem; broad leaves along a zigzag stem.

© Al Schneider

node -- The point at which there is attached growth, as in the place where each leaf is attached.

A perennial plant lives and blooms for many years.

A herb is a plant whose stems die back to the ground in the winter.

ovate -- Oval, egg-shaped, with a tapering point.

Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom.

perfect flower -- a bisexual flower, having both male and female parts.

fruit -- any seed-bearing structure in flowering plants. It is formed from the ovary after flowering.

stalk -- The supporting structure of an organ. Examples of stalks are stem, peduncle, petiole, ...

The botanical term "berry" is different from common usage. Strawberries and raspberries are not berries. But a tomatoe is. A true berry is a fruit with the seeds immersed in the pulp.

leaves alternate along the main stem and are attached singly.

oblong -- Having an elongated form with somewhat parallel sides. Rectangular.