[Twisted-stalks: The Genus Streptopus in Mt. Adams Country]

Clasp-leaf Twisted-stalk, Claspingleaf Twistedstalk, Clasping-leaf Twisted Stalk, Clasping Twisted-stalk, Cucumber Root

Streptopus amplexifolius

Synonyms: Streptopus amplexifolius var. americanus, Streptopus amplexifolius var. amplexifolius, Streptopus amplexifolius var. chalazatus

Flower of Clasp-leaf Twisted-stalk, Claspingleaf Twistedstalk, Clasping-leaf Twisted Stalk, Clasping Twisted-stalk, Cucumber Root: Streptopus amplexifolius (Synonyms: Streptopus amplexifolius var. americanus, Streptopus amplexifolius var. amplexifolius, Streptopus amplexifolius var. chalazatus)

The photo above shows a single flower of clasping-leaved twisted-stalk. The flowers of this species tend to have creamy white to greenish-tinged tepals with the tips strongly curved outwards. In addition, the upper peduncle as seen here closely parallels the leaf blade, before sharply descending or bending downwards at roughly a right angle. All photos on this page were taken at about an elevation of 2720' along Road K6000 on the southeastern slopes of Mt. Adams.............June 13, 2005.

Sites Where This Species May be Seen on Mt. Adams:

1. Road K6000 at moist stream crossings.

2. Island Springs Trail #66 where it crosses Island Springs Creek (Yakama Reservation).


Leaf and flower of Clasp-leaf Twisted-stalk, Claspingleaf Twistedstalk, Clasping-leaf Twisted Stalk, Clasping Twisted-stalk, Cucumber Root: Streptopus amplexifolius (Synonyms: Streptopus amplexifolius var. americanus, Streptopus amplexifolius var. amplexifolius, Streptopus amplexifolius var. chalazatus)

The photo above shows a good close-up view of the clasping leaf base and strongly ribbed venation on the lower leaf surface of clasping-leaved twisted stalk.

Pendant flowers of Clasp-leaf Twisted-stalk, Claspingleaf Twistedstalk, Clasping-leaf Twisted Stalk, Clasping Twisted-stalk, Cucumber Root: Streptopus amplexifolius (Synonyms: Streptopus amplexifolius var. americanus, Streptopus amplexifolius var. amplexifolius, Streptopus amplexifolius var. chalazatus)

The photo above shows the numerous pendant flowers of clasping-leaved twisted-stalk. The flowers are solitary and hang from the individual leaf bases. The leaves are aranged similar to those of false solomon seal, but the inflorescence of the latter species consists of numerous small white flowers arranged in a panicle at the tip of the stem.

Axillary flowers and leaves of Clasp-leaf Twisted-stalk, Claspingleaf Twistedstalk, Clasping-leaf Twisted Stalk, Clasping Twisted-stalk, Cucumber Root: Streptopus amplexifolius (Synonyms: Streptopus amplexifolius var. americanus, Streptopus amplexifolius var. amplexifolius, Streptopus amplexifolius var. chalazatus)

The photo above shows the pendant, bell-shaped flowers, clasping leaf bases, and the zig zag or twisted leaf stalk of clasping-leaved twisted-stalk. Note that the flowers arise from the leaf nodes in this genus.

Paul Slichter