Streptopus amplexifolius

Common Names

Clasping Twistedstalk, Claspleaf Twistedstalk, Twisted Stalk, Watermelon Berry, Scoot Berry, White Mandarin, Wild Cucumber, White Twisted-Stalk, Tubercle Twistedstalk

Summary

Streptopus amplexifolius is a rhizomatous perennial monocot in the Liliaceae with erect, branched stems 40–120 cm tall and leaves that clasp the stem, producing a twisted appearance as stems kink at each leaf axil. Flowers are 1–2 per leaf axil, greenish-white to yellowish-green bells with six tepals 8–14 mm long that hang from jointed peduncles; berries are yellow to red, maturing to dark purple and about 8–18 mm long; the plant grows in moist coniferous and deciduous woods, streambanks, and thickets from sea level to about 2800 m, with a circumboreal distribution across North America and Eurasia, flowering from late spring to mid-summer.

Cultivation and use: prefers moist, humus-rich soils and partial shade, avoiding strong sun, and is very cold-tolerant but may not perform well in areas with excessive summer warmth and extreme dryness. Propagation is best by division; seed propagation is difficult due to double dormancy, with seeds may not emerge until the second year. Initial establishment occurs in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame for the first year and outplants the following spring, with an in-ground spacing of about 9 to 12 inches. In landscaping contexts, Streptopus amplexifolius is deer-resistant and suited to native wildflower or herb gardens, shade gardens, and pollinator plantings.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

16-39.5 inches

Spread

9-12 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4a-8b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full shade to partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist, loamy soil that drains well but retains moisture.

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

6.5-6.5

Bloom Color

Greenish-white

Bloom Time

Spring and Summer

Foliage Color

Green, glaucous beneath.

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Medium.

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds