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vanillaleaf
Scientific Name: Carphephorus odoratissimus
Family: Asteraceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Vanilla Leaf (Achlys triphylla)
Achlys triphylla, commonly known as Vanilla Leaf or Deer Foot (also Deer's Foot or Deerfoot), is a captivating herbaceous groundcover native to the mountains of the West Coast of North America.
Considerations for Pets
- The text mentions "Known Hazards, None known," however, further research may be needed to determine any potential risks.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Achlys triphylla (Sm.) DC.
- Common Names: Vanilla Leaf, Deer Foot, Sweet After Death
- Family: Berberidaceae (Barberry family)
- Synonyms: The text also references various spellings of the common name, such as "vanilla-leaf" and "vanillaleaf."
- Taxonomic Rank Species, Subspecies
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to the West Coast of North America, specifically the Pacific Northwest.
- Found in coniferous forests, often forming pure stands in forests and woodlands.
- Reported locations include Southern British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon (from the eastern base of the Cascades to the coast).
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Herbaceous perennial groundcover, typically growing up to one foot high.
- Forms a lush carpet of bright green, fan-shaped foliage.
- Leaves are large and divided into three leaflets.
- Spreads via a wide-ranging slender rhizome.
- Delicate, white bottle brush flowers appear in April.
Quirky Facts
- The dried leaves of Vanilla Leaf are known for their distinctive vanilla scent, especially during the winter.
- One of its common names is "Sweet After Death".
- It has a close relative, California Vanilla Leaf (A. californica), which generally has 6-8 leaf parts compared to A. triphylla's three.