• Photo of Streptopus amplexifolius (Streptopus amplexifoliuss)

Plant Profile: Streptopus amplexifolius

Taxonomy: Streptopus amplexifolius

Names

Scootberry, Twisted Stalk, White Mandarin

  • Photo of Streptopus amplexifolius (Streptopus amplexifoliuss)

Phonetic Spelling:STREP-toh-pus am-pleks-ih-FOH-lee-us

Genus:Streptopus

Species:amplexifolius

Family:Liliaceae

This is a perennial, upright, and branched herb characterized by its alternate, simple leaves that clasp at the base. The flowers are solitary, featuring six parts, and are bell-shaped, ranging in color from white to rose. The fruit is a red berry that hangs beneath the leaves.

You can usually find this plant thriving in forests or other natural habitats with nutrient-rich soil. While it is considered toxic, the tender young shoots and leaves can be included in salads, and a small number of berries can provide a delightful snack.

Streptopus amplexifolius Feature Summary

Streptopus amplexifolius Image Gallery

Tags

#herb garden
#NC native
#poisonous berries
#wildflower garden

Similar Plants

Streptopus amplexifolius Feature Summary

Attributes
Temp. Northern Hemisphere
Perennial
Fruit
Berries hang below the leaves.
Red/Burgundy
Flowers
One or two whitish-rose small rose flowers with recurved petals in each leaf axis.
White
Red/Burgundy
6 petals/rays
Leaves
Leaves clasp at the base.
Stem
The flower stalk has a bend near the middle of the stem.
Poisonous to Humans
Unknown cases, but suspected due to close relationship with known toxic plants.
Possibly cardiac glycosides.
Whole Plant Traits
Native Plant
Poisonous
Wildflower
Herb
Cultural Conditions
Mountains

Streptopus amplexifolius Attributes

Streptopus amplexifolius: Country Or Region Of Origin

Temp. Northern Hemisphere

Streptopus amplexifolius: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Streptopus amplexifolius Fruit

Streptopus amplexifolius: Fruit Description

Berries hang below the leaves.

Streptopus amplexifolius: Fruit Type

Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua

Streptopus amplexifolius: Fruit Color

grass
Red/Burgundy

Streptopus amplexifolius Flowers

Streptopus amplexifolius: Flower Description

One or two whitish-rose small rose flowers with recurved petals in each leaf axis.

Streptopus amplexifolius: Flower Color

filter_vintage
Red/Burgundy
filter_vintage
White

Streptopus amplexifolius: Flower Bloom Time

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Streptopus amplexifolius: Flower Petals

2-3 rays/petals
4-5 petals/rays
6 petals/rays
7 - 20 petals/rays
asymmetrical petals
Bracts
Colored Sepals
fused petals
more than 20 petals/rays
Tepals

Streptopus amplexifolius: Flower Shape

Bell
Cross
Crown
Cup
Dome
Funnel
Irregular
Lipped
Radial
Saucer
Star
Trumpet
Tubular
Urn
Wheel

Streptopus amplexifolius Leaves

Streptopus amplexifolius: Leaf Description

Leaves clasp at the base.

Streptopus amplexifolius: Leaf Color

spa
Green

Streptopus amplexifolius: Leaf Type

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple

Streptopus amplexifolius: Leaf Arrangement

Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled

Streptopus amplexifolius: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Streptopus amplexifolius Stem

Streptopus amplexifolius: Stem Description

The flower stalk has a bend near the middle of the stem.

Streptopus amplexifolius: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Streptopus amplexifolius Poisonous to Humans

Streptopus amplexifolius: Poison Symptoms

Unknown cases, but suspected due to close relationship with known toxic plants.

Streptopus amplexifolius: Poison Toxic Principle

Possibly cardiac glycosides.

Streptopus amplexifolius: Poison Severity

High
Low
Medium

Streptopus amplexifolius: Causes Contact Dermatitis

No
Yes

Streptopus amplexifolius: Poison Part

Bark
Flowers
Fruits
Leaves
Roots
Sap/Juice
Seeds
Stems

Streptopus amplexifolius Whole Plant Traits

Streptopus amplexifolius: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Streptopus amplexifolius: Habit/Form

Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping

Streptopus amplexifolius Cultural Conditions

Streptopus amplexifolius: NC Region

Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont