Achlys triphylla subsp. triphylla

Family: Berberidaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Vanilla leaf is a California native perennial found in northern Coast Ranges, western Klamath Ranges, and western North Coast Ranges in moist shaded conifer forests at elevations below 1,830 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces small white flowers in delicate spikes. Growing 20 to 40 centimeters tall with a spreading rhizomatous growth habit, it forms soft, low clusters in forest understories. Its distinctive leaves are compound with three leaflets, each broadly rounded and bright green. The plant produces small fruits 3 to 4.5 millimeters long nestled among its distinctive foliage.

Habitat: Moist shaded sites, conifer forest

Bloom period: Apr-Jun

Elevation: < 1830 m

Bioregions: NCo, w KR, w NCoRO

California counties: Siskiyou, Humboldt, Mendocino, Del Norte, Sonoma, Trinity

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.