Streptopus Sp. - Twistedstalk

Family: Liliaceae - Lily

"Rhizomes long. Stem: simple or branched. Leaf: cauline, alternate, oblong to ovate, acute to acuminate. Inflorescence: flowers 1(2) in leaf axils, with sharp bend at juncture of peduncle, pedicel. Flower: bell- to saucer-shaped; perianth parts 6, petal-like; stamens 6, filaments flat, anthers abruptly tipped; ovary superior, chambers 3, style 1, entire or 3-lobed. Fruit: berry, ± green to dark red. Seed: 3–15, elliptic, grooved or wrinkled.
7 species: North America, Eurasia. (Greek: twisted foot, from peduncles)" [Jepson]

Local Species;

  1. Streptopus amplexifolius - clasping twistedstalk
  2. Streptopus lanceolatus - rosy twistedstalk
    • var. curvipes
  3. Streptopus streptopoides - small twistedstalk

Key to Streptopus

Streptopus amplexifolius - Clasping twistedstalk

"Streptopus amplexifolius is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.3 m (1ft). It is hardy to zone (UK) 5. It is in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from Sep to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs)
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil." [PFAF]

"Habitat/Range Moist forests, streambanks, thickets, avalanche tracks and clearings in the lowland and steppe to subalpine zones; common throughout BC; var. amplexifolius - circumboreal, N to AK, YT and NT, E to NF and S to NC, TN, MN, SD, NM, AZ and CA; Greenland, Eurasia; var. chalazatus - amphiberingian, N to AK, E to AB and S to SD, NM, UT, ID and OR; E Asia." [IFBC-E-flora-1]

"Two varieties occur in BC:
1. Stems coarsely hairy below the first branches; leaves with tiny, irregularly spaced teeth; plants mostly from west of the Coast-Cascade
Mountains................... var. amplexifolius
1. Stems smooth; leaf margins entire; plants mostly from east of the Coast-Cascade Mountains................... var. chalazatus Fassett " [IFBC-E-flora-1]

"A shade-tolerant/intolerant, submontane to subalpine, circumpolar forb (transcontinental in North America). Occurs on fresh to very moist, nitrogen-rich soils within boreal. temperate, and cool mesothermal climates. Occurrence increases with increasing latitude and precipitation. Sporadic to abundant in submontane to subalpine coniferous forests on water-receiving and water-collecting sites. Usually associated with Abies amabilis, A. lasiocarpa, Athyrium filix-femina, Gymnocarpium dryopteris, Oplopanax horridus, Ribes lacustre, Rubus parviflorus, R.spectabilis, Tiarella trifoliata, and T. unifoliata. A nitrophytic species characteristic of Moder and Mull humus forms." (Coastal Sp. only??????) [IPBC-E-flora-1]

Streptopus lanceolatus - Rosy twistedstalk

"Streptopus roseus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft). It is hardy to zone (UK) 3. It is in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from Sep to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs)
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil." [PFAF]

"Habitat/Range Moist to mesic forests, glades, streambanks, meadows and clearings in the lowland and steppe to subalpine zones; frequent throughout BC south of 56°N; N to AK, E to AB and S to OR." [IFBC-E-flora-2]

Syn: Streptopus roseus [E-flora-2]

Status: Native [E-flora-2]

Streptopus streptopoides - Small twistedstalk

"Streptopus streptopoides is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is hardy to zone (UK) 3. It is in flower from Jul to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil." [PFAF]

"Habitat/Range Moist forests in the montane and subalpine zones; common on coastal mainland, infrequent elsewhere in BC south of 56degreeN; amphiberingian, N to AK, E to AB and S to ID and WA; E Asia." [IFBC-E-flora-3]

"A shade-tolerant/intolerant, montane to subalpine, Asian and North American forb distributed more in the Pacific than the Cordilleran region. Occurs in subalpine boreal and cool temperate climates on fresh to very moist, nitrogen-poor soils; its occurrence decreases with increasing continentality. Sporadic to scattered in mature to subalpine coniferous forests on water-shedding and water-receiving sites. Typically associated with Blechnum spicant, Dryopteris expansa, Orthilia secunda, Rhytidiopsis robusta, Vaccinium alaskaense, and V. membranaceum. An oxylophytic species characteristic of Mor humus forms." (Coastal Sp. only??????) [IPBC-E-flora-3]

Species Mentioned; S. amplexifolius, S. roseus, S. streptopoides. S. amplexifolius. Twisted Stalks Streptopus (7 sp; including S. amplexifolius & S. roseus. [????]

Hazards

Lookalikes

Spring shoots of twisted stalk have been confused with the deadly spring growth of false hellebore (Veratrum species). Shoots of hellebore are plump, pleated, and uniformly green in appearance. Twisted stalk shoots often show pinkish tinges and purple spots. Be positive of identity as reddish tinges are also common to poison hemlock (Cicuta species), though the growth form is quite different.[????]

Laxative

The fruits are said to be somewhat laxative when eaten in excess. One of their nicknames is "scoot berries," as they're reported to send you scooting to the bathroom if you overindulge. I've never experienced this particular quality, but proceed slowly until you know how your particular system will react. [????]

Edible Uses

Twisted stalk berries are juicy and moderately sweet. Snacking on them refreshes hikers but eating too many may cause diarrhea. The tender young shoots are tasty in spring, but resemble toxic members of the lily family such as the poisonous false hellebore (Veratrum viride). Because identifying leaves can be difficult, we recommend eating only the berries. [????]
Bristol Bay Eskimos commonly eat this plant, yet many peoples, including the Dena'ina Athabascans of Cook Inlet, Alaska, avoid it as poisonous. Around Port Allsworth, Alaska, says JoAnn Nelson of Dillingham, twisted stalk fruits are referred to as "dead man's berries." Perhaps this reputation arose because the spring shoots are often mottled with red, a trait common in many notoriously deadly plants. Streptopus, however, is indeed safe and is a definite favorite in my household. The tender young shoots and clasping young leaves of this plant were relished in spring, raw, by some Alaska Indigenous People, but apparently this use was learned from local non-Indigenous people and was not traditional. [????]

Streptopus species' Twistedstalk The Cucumber-flavored leaves and shoots are quite palatable when young, and can be used in salads, stir- fries, and as a potherb. The berries were eaten by Native Americans (they are sometimes known as Watermelon Berries), but are purgative if eaten in quantity. [????]

Though the Thompson of British Columbia and the Okanagan of Washington ate the fresh berries, other tribes thought them fit only for snakes and frogs. Use of the twisted stalks for medicine was more widespread than use for food. They steeped chopped roots in water, creating a tonic for stomachache or loss of appetite. The Thompson tied the plants to their hair or clothing for fragrance, and the women of the Makah group chewed the roots to ease labor pains. [????]

Streptopus amplexifolius Twisted Stalk - Spring&Summer - Fruit, young stalks used by Alaska natives as a food source. [Helaine_selin]

"Twisted Stalk (Streptopus roseus Michx.)175 “näwä'kîtäg” [leaning weed]. According to Mrs. Spoon, the proper name in Forest Potawatomi is “newe'ak”. She used the root of the Twisted Stalk to make a cough syrup or tea. The Ojibwe likewise used the root of the Twisted Stalk, but we have no record of its use among the white." [HuronSmith Zuni]

Streptopus amplexifolius - Roots are sometimes used in salads - Sources: Gibbons and Tucker (1979) and Facciola (1990) [Edible and non-medicinal plants Volume 9]

"Twisted-stalk (Streptopus amplexifolius) - Interesting Facts: In terms of edibility, these plants have escaped mention in many guides but are indeed safe. The new spring shoots and clasping young leaves can be eaten raw or added to salads and taste somewhat like cucumbers. The berries, often referred to as watermelon berries, are somewhat laxative if eaten in excess but may be eaten raw or cooked in soups and stews. They are sometimes referred to as ‘‘scooter berries,’’ because if you eat too much you can find yourself ‘‘scooting’’ to the bathroom. The species are easy to grow in wild gardens. The stems were used in poultices for cuts (Schofield 1989). Warning: Anyone wishing to use the young shoots of twisted-stalk should be very careful to identify it correctly. At the shoot stage, these plants resemble the highly toxic Veratrum spp. (corn lily)." [Vizgirdas WPSN]

Food Use

Other Uses

Medicinal Uses

Cultivation
S.amplexifolius, S.streptopoides; Requires a cool leafy soil in shade or partial shade[187]. Thrives in a moist light soil containing organic matter[1]. Hardy to at least -20°c. S.amplexifolius; A polymorphic species, there are many sub-species[43]." [PFAF]

Propagation:
S.amplexifolius; Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the summer[200]. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as soon as it is received. The seed, especially if it has been stored, can be very slow to germinate, sometimes taking 18 months or more. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a shady part of the greenhouse or cold frame. It will normally take 2 or more growing seasons before the roots are large enough to plant out - this is best done when the plant is dormant in the autumn. Division as the plant comes into growth in early spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first year, planting them out in the following spring." [PFAF]

Synonyms

References