Achlys triphylla

Vanilla Leaf

Vanilla Leaf
aka Deer Foot, Sweet-after-death, May-leaf. This attractive and very familiar plant often covers large areas and at times one feels surrounded by antlers. What appears to be three leaves is actually one single large leaf cleft into three leaflets. The slender stems are usually about 1′ (30 cm). The flowers are very small and cluster on a 1/2″ – 2″ slender spike and have no petals or sepals (referred to as “reduced” flowers) but consist of 8 -20 reproductive parts. Found in abundance in deep woods and moist areas to 5,000′ elevation.

Family:

Berberidacae - BARBERRY FAMILY

Genus:

Achlys is Greek for 'mist' in referernce to misty white of the flowers

Species:

triphylla refers to three-part leaves
Photo location: From several locations including along the Paradise Road near Longmire, Paul Peak, Eastside, Carbon River trails and the WLT/Nickel Creek.