365Caws is now in its 14th year of publication, and was originally intended to end after 365 days. It has sometimes been difficult for me to find new material, particularly during the winter months, but now as I enter my own twilight years, I cannot guarantee that I will be able to provide daily posts. It is my hope that along the way I may have inspired someone to a greater curiosity about the natural world. If so, I can rest, content in the knowledge that my work here has been done.
Sunday, May 17, 2020
Vanilla-Leaf, Achlys Triphylla
Day 217: "Vanilla-leaf" might seem to be something of a misnomer for Achlys triphylla upon encountering it green and fresh in our Pacific Northwest forests. It is not until the leaf dries out in the autumn that the scent for which it is named becomes apparent. It is also sometimes called "Sweet-After-Death," another reference to the aroma of the dried foliage. The root is also purported to smell of vanilla, but I enjoy the plants too much to investigate. In the spring, a flower stalk arises from the center of its three leaflets, creamy white in colour and attractive to a number of tiny pollinators, although most pollination occurs by wind dispersal. It is relatively easy to cultivate for the shade garden and in fact, is offered for sale by many nurseries. It prefers moist soil, rich in organic matter, and if happy in its environment, will spread readily to form a lush carpet of green.
Labels:
Achlys triphylla,
Sweet-After-Death,
T Woods,
Vanilla-leaf
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