Clasping Twisted Stalk (Streptopus amplexifolius)

Clasping twisted stalk is a lovely herbaceous perennial in the Lily family that thrives in moist, shady areas of the garden. Its name comes from the zig-zag appearance of the branched stems, with attractive leaves that wrap around the stem at their base. Greenish-white bell-shaped flowers appear in the spring, hanging from kinked stalks at each leaf axil, which are replaced by large, juicy red berries later in the summer. This plant grows from rhizomes and slowly forms a clump, but it does not produce dense colonies like the similar-looking hooker's fairybells.

Sun Exposure: Full shade, partial shade
Soil & Moisture: Moist soil high in organic matter, neutral to slightly acidic pH
Mature Size: 2'-3' tall, 1' wide
Bloom Time: Spring
Edible: Yes (berries). * NOTE: Edibility of wild plants often depends on the preparation of the plant. Always do your own research before consuming wild plants and eat at your own risk.
Wildlife Value: Attracts bees and other pollinators. Fruits eaten by birds and small mammals.
Native Range & Habitat: Moist, shady, open forest, streambanks, avalanche tracks, subalpine thickets, clearings, from low to subalpine elevations. Widely distributed across most of Canada, as well as Europe and Asia.
Other Names: Watermelon berry, scoot berry