Claspleaf Twistedstalk, Liver berry
Streptopus amplexifolius

Family: Liliaceae

What it is like

A herb that keeps growing from year to year. It has a short, fleshy underground stem. It grows 25-90 cm high. There are several leaves. They are at the base and grass-like. They are 5-20 cm long. The flowers are white and small. They are in dense clusters or spikes at the end of the stem. They hang on delicate, twisted stalks. The stem is sticky. The fruit is a yellow or orange capsule. It has many seeds.

There are about 10 Streptopus species. Also put in the family Convallariaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in moist woods and shady places near streams. It suits hardiness zones 3-8.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alaska, Asia, Canada, Europe, France, Hungary, Korea, Myanmar, North America, SE Asia, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked in soups and stews or made into jelly. The roots are sometimes used in salads for the cucumber flavour. The young shoots are eaten raw in salads or cooked like asparagus.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, root, stem

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Liver berry, Nyuleper, Watermelon berry, Wild cucumber

Synonyms

Convallaria amplexifolia (L.) E. H. L. Krause; Streptopus distortus Michx.; and others