[Deerfoots and Vanilla-leafs: The Genus Achlys in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington]

Deerfoot, Deer's-foot, Northern Vanilla-leaf, Sweet-after-death, Vanillaleaf, Vanilla Leaf

Achlys triphylla

Synonyms: Achlys triphylla ssp. triphylla, Leontice triphylla

Deerfoot, Deer's-foot, Northern Vanilla-leaf, Sweet-after-death, Vanillaleaf, Vanilla Leaf: Achlys triphylla (Synonyms: Achlys triphylla ssp. triphylla, Leontice triphylla)

Northern vanilla-leaf observed along the Lewis River Trail between Curly Creek Falls and Bolt Camp Shelter, Gifford Pinchot National Forest......October 4, 2021.

Deerfoot, Deer's-foot, Northern Vanilla-leaf, Sweet-after-death, Vanillaleaf, Vanilla Leaf: Achlys triphylla (Synonyms: Achlys triphylla ssp. triphylla, Leontice triphylla) - Deerfoot, Deer's-foot, Northern Vanilla-leaf, Sweet-after-death, Vanillaleaf, Vanilla Leaf: Achlys triphylla (Synonyms: Achlys triphylla ssp. triphylla, Leontice triphylla)

Northern vanilla-leaf observed near Fivemile Lookout, Mount Hood National Forest......October 15, 2021. Note the noticeably narrower central leaflet with 3 lobes at its leaf tip.
Characteristics:

Vanilla is an attractive perennial with single, long-petiolate, ternate (3 leaflets) leaves which are fan-shaped with coarsely-toothed leaf edges. The leaf blade is roughly 5-20 cm wide, with the whole leaf ranging from 10-30 cm long. Dry leaves smell of vanilla.

The flower stem is separate from the leaf and ranges from 20-40 cm tall. The apex of the stem has a dense spike (2.5-5 cm long) of tiny white flowers with no petals nor sepals.

Habitat:

Vanilla leaf is most commonly found in deep, undisturbed forests, but may also found in the open along streams.

Range:

Vanilla leaf may be found from British Columbia from the eastern base of the Cascades west to the coast, and south to Sherman and Wasco counties, Oregon, and south on the western side of the Cascades of Oregon to northwestern California.

Vanillaleaf, Vanilla Leaf, Sweet-after-death, Deerfoot, Deer's-foot: Achlys triphylla (Synonyms: Achlys californica, Achlys triphylla ssp. triphylla, Leontice triphylla) - Vanillaleaf, Vanilla Leaf, Sweet-after-death, Deerfoot, Deer's-foot: Achlys triphylla (Synonyms: Achlys californica, Achlys triphylla ssp. triphylla, Leontice triphylla)

Vanillaleaf beginning to bloom along the Lewis River Trail #31, Gifford Pinchot National Forest..........May 3, 2015.

Vanillaleaf, Vanilla Leaf, Sweet-after-death, Deerfoot, Deer's-foot: Achlys triphylla (Synonyms: Achlys californica, Achlys triphylla ssp. triphylla, Leontice triphylla) - Deerfoot, Deer's-foot, Northern Vanilla-leaf, Sweet-after-death, Vanillaleaf, Vanilla Leaf: Achlys triphylla (Synonyms: Achlys triphylla ssp. triphylla, Leontice triphylla)

Vanilla leaf beginning to turn colors at left along the Loowit Trail #216 between upper Sheep Canyon and the crossing over the South Fork Toutle River, Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument..........October 19, 2014. The photo at right shows vanilla leaf in bloom along Penny Ridge on Washington Department of Natural Resources lands west of BZ Corner, WA......June 10, 2021.

Deerfoot, Deer's-foot, Northern Vanilla-leaf, Sweet-after-death, Vanillaleaf, Vanilla Leaf: Achlys triphylla (Synonyms: Achlys triphylla ssp. triphylla, Leontice triphylla) - Deerfoot, Deer's-foot, Northern Vanilla-leaf, Sweet-after-death, Vanillaleaf, Vanilla Leaf: Achlys triphylla (Synonyms: Achlys triphylla ssp. triphylla, Leontice triphylla)

Northern vanilla-leaf changing color along the Fret Creek Trail #456A, Badger Creek Wilderness......September 26, 2021. The plant in the photo at left approaches Achlys californica in having 5-7 lobes at the leading edge of the central leaflet.

Vanillaleaf, Vanilla Leaf, Sweet-after-death, Deerfoot, Deer's-foot: Achlys triphylla (Synonyms: Achlys californica, Achlys triphylla ssp. triphylla, Leontice triphylla) - Deerfoot, Deer's-foot, Northern Vanilla-leaf, Sweet-after-death, Vanillaleaf, Vanilla Leaf: Achlys triphylla (Synonyms: Achlys triphylla ssp. triphylla, Leontice triphylla)

The image at left shows vanilla leaf blooming at Starvation Creek, Columbia River Gorge.....May 5, 2014. The image at right shows northern vanilla leaf lining the Surveyor's Ridge Trail #688 northwest of Gibson Prairie Horse Camp, Mount Hood National Forest.....June 11, 2024.
Paul Slichter