Twisted Stalks, Streptopus

These perennials are commonly call "twisted stalks" because of the kinks; sometimes right-angled, sometimes just curved, present on the main stem and flower stalks. Post European arrival and settlement, so called, Aboriginal, names, often included: Owl berries, Witch Berries, Black BearBerries, and frog berries.

Twisted stalks are closely related to Fairybells.

Twisted Stalk is widely distributed across North America. The plant is most often found near shaded stream banks and in moist thickets of the mountain and sub-alpine zones across most of North America. It is also found in similar locations in Europe and Asia.

It is claimed, in story, myth and by many modern researchers; that in bygone days, when such existed, that most Native peoples regarded twisted stalks mainly for medicine. On the other hand there are almost an equal number that claim the berries and plant were once used as a staple food plant by Native Americans in Eastern North America and as a medicine.  It is also sometimes claimed that the plant was referred to by early settlers of Eastern and Western North America as "wild cucumber" and as "scoot berries" for the mildly laxative effects of the berries if they are eaten in excessive quantities

Uses and Edibility: Apparently, the tender young shoots of this plant were eaten by Native Americans as a salad green, and the bright-coloured berries were eaten either raw or cooked in soups and stews; but, most consider the older plant and berries poisonous. The entire plant is sweet with a cucumber-like flavour. The berries are also reported to be juicy and sweet, with a cucumber-like flavour.  The juice of the berries was used as a soothing treatment for burns by pioneer Canadians and other North Americans as well. Some claim twisted stalks were highly regarded for their general restorative quantities and that they were taken raw a tonic, to treat general sickness, the whole plant was used to reduce coughs, loss of appetite stomach aches spitting up blood kidney problems, and even to treat gonorrhoea.

Twisted Stalk has a superficial resemblance to False Solomon's Seal (Maianthemum racemosum), but Twisted Stalk produces axillary flowers and fruits along the stem, where False Solomon's Seal produces a terminal inflorescence. Also False Solomon's Seal is always a single unbranched stem, while Twisted Stalk can be branched at the bottom. In fruit, Twisted Stalk is easily identified by its large, juicy red berries which grow from each leaf axil and are highly visible, even in the thickest undergrowth, as they boldly contrast with the surrounding foliage.

Warning: When young, Twisted Stalk also resemble false –hellebore and members of the genus Veratrum, highly toxic plants that are also members of the lily family. This plant should not be consumed unless identification is positive.

Clasping Twisted-stalk, Streptopus amplexifolius, is a species of flowering plant in the family Liliaceae, native to North America, Europe and Asia.

Rosy-Twisted- stalk, Streptopus lancelatus, stems are usually unbranched, curved (not zigzagged), leaves not clasping; rose –purple or pink flowers with white tips.

Small Twisted-stalk, Streptopus streptopoides leaves are oval shaped to oblong, lance shaped. The flowers are single, wine coloured with yellow/green tips, hanging from leaf axis.. The fruit is orange to red

© Al (Alex, Alexander) D. Girvan. All rights reserved.