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Smith, R.W.

Streptopus lanceolatus

Streptopus lanceolatus (Aiton) Reveal

Twistedstalk, Rosy Twisted-stalk

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: STLA16

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)

A branching plant with zigzag stems and nodding, pink, bell-shaped flowers on short twisted stalks rising near leaf axils.

This plant is easily recognized by its branching habit and distinctly twisted flower stalks. The arching stems and orderly arrangement of leaves resemble those of fairybells (Prosartes) and False Solomon's Seal (Maianthemum racemosum). However, Streptopus (meaning "twisted foot," in reference to the contorted flower stalk) seems to break a botanical rule: The flowers appear not to grow from leaf axils as usual; they actually do, but the base of the flower stalk is fused to the stem up to the level of the next leaf so that it appears to grow from there. The similar White Mandarin (S. amplexifolius) has greenish-white flowers and clasping leaves; it is found from Alberta to Newfoundland south to Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, and in the north-central United States from Michigan to Minnesota.

From the Image Gallery

2 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 30 inches tall.
Fruit: Red

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Yellow , Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AK , CT , GA , IA , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , TN , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Distribution: Alaska south through British Columbia to Oregon; also Manitoba east to Newfoundland, south to Georgia, west to Tennessee, and north to Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa.
Native Habitat: Moist woods, thickets, and streambanks.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:		FACU	FAC		FAC	FAC		FAC	FACU	FAC

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 62 - Burke Herbarium Image Collection (2020) University of Washington
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Streptopus lanceolatus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Streptopus lanceolatus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Streptopus lanceolatus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-04-12
Research By: TWC Staff

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