Twisted-stalk

(Streptopus amplexifolius)

 

   

 

Color Drawing: Wolcott, M.V. 1925. North American Wild Flowers. Smithsonian Institution.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Twisted-stalk (Streptopus amplexifolius (L.) DC.)

Identification: Flower green-white with petals curved backward (reflexed). Flowers single or in pairs, arising from the leaf axils. Flower stalk elongate, usually with an angle or kink in it, and flowers arising from the base of the leaf and hanging beneath the leaf. Stem strongly zig-zag in appearance. Leaves broad, ovate and clasping the stem. Plant 1 to 3 feet in height.

Distribution: Missouri and Illinois in the west to southern Michigan, south Ontario, to New York and southern New England in the east, southward to Florida and Texas.

Habitat: Twisted-stalk is found in thickets and woods.

Flowering period: May to June.

Similar Species: The kink or angle in the flowering stem is distinctive for the species. The petals of Solomon's Seal are more tubular and the apices are not reflexed. Rose Twisted-stalk has rose colored flowers.

Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc. 2003. All rights reserved.