Small twistedstalk
Streptopus streptopoides

Family: Convallariaceae

What it is like

Streptopus streptopoides is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.3

Where it is found

Dense coniferous mid-montane woods. Moist woods, river banks and alder thickets.

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea. North-western N. America.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Young leaves and shoots - raw or cooked. A cucumber flavour. Fruit - raw or cooked. A watermelon flavour. The orange-red berries are about 6mm in diameter.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Requires a cool leafy soil in shade or partial shade. Thrives in a moist light soil containing organic matter. Hardy to at least -20°c.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the summer. 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.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 3-7

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

S. brevipes. Smilacena streptopoides.