Sweet after death, Sweet-after-death, Vanilla leaf
Berberidaceae (Barberry Family)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia
is a spreading ground cover. Large leaves, divided into three leaflets, rise at close intervals from underground runners and are long-lasting. Stalks, less than 8 in. high, produce numerous tiny, petalless, whitish flowers clustered together in a narrow, fluffy spike. Pairs of low slender stalks grow in patches, one stalk actually a petiole,
having at its tip a round leaf blade
with 3 broad, fan-shaped leaflets; the other stalk ending in a narrow spike
of small white flowers. The dried plants have a vanilla fragrance.
The large, 3-part leaf is unusual, like that of its only close relative, California Vanilla Leaf (A. californica
), found nearer the coast, but which generally has 6-8 (rarely up to 12) teeth on the central leaflet.
Image Gallery: 2 photo(s) available
Bloom InformationBloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul
, WA Canada: BC Native Distribution:
S. B.C. to n.w. CA Native Habitat:
Moist, coastal forests; stream banks
Growing ConditionsLight Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist, rich soils.
Conditions Comments: Vanilla leaf can crowd out other plants but does not compete well with more vigorous ground covers.
Americans used preparations of the leaves of Achlys triphylla to treat tuberculosis, for a hair wash, and as an emetic (D. E. Moermann 1986). Interesting Foliage: