Streptopus amplexifolius var. americanus
American streptopus
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Family: Liliaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Streptopus amplexifolius var. americanus (American streptopus) is a native California perennial in the Liliaceae family, recognized by Circumboreal species at southern range limit in California, distinguished by twisted pedicels and clasping leaves.
American streptopus is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, northern California Ranges, northern Sierra Nevada, and Modoc Plateau in moist, shaded areas at elevations of 250 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white flowers tinged with green, bell-shaped and 9 to 15 millimeters long. Growing with stems 30 to 100 centimeters tall that are much-branched and ranging from glabrous to densely hairy, it emerges from a thick rhizome with fibrous roots. Its leaves are nearly sessile, 5 to 15 centimeters long, cordate at the base and clasping the stem, with a slightly glaucous undersurface. The fruit develops as a yellow or red berry 10 to 15 millimeters long, containing many pale yellow seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Circumboreal species at southern range limit in California, distinguished by twisted pedicels and clasping leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist, shaded areas
Elevation: 250-1700 m
California counties: Modoc, Yuba, Butte, Plumas, Siskiyou, Humboldt, Trinity, Tehama, Glenn, Del Norte, El Dorado
Outside California: to Alaska, central North America
Bloom period
Streptopus amplexifolius var. americanus blooms May-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Prosartes: Streptopus has single flowers on kinked stalks from leaf joints; Prosartes has terminal flower clusters on straight stalks.; vs Maianthemum: Streptopus has large flowers hanging singly from kinked stalks; Maianthemum has tiny flowers in terminal clusters.; vs Lilium: Streptopus has broad clasping leaves with single axillary flowers; Lilium has narrow whorled leaves with terminal flowers.; vs Tulipa: Streptopus flowers hang from leaf joints along the stem; Tulipa has a single upright flower atop a leafless stalk.; vs Fritillaria: Streptopus flowers hang from kinked stalks at leaf joints; Fritillaria flowers hang from straight stalks at stem tip.
Frequently asked questions
Is Streptopus amplexifolius var. americanus native to California?
Yes. Streptopus amplexifolius var. americanus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Streptopus amplexifolius var. americanus bloom?
Streptopus amplexifolius var. americanus blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Streptopus amplexifolius var. americanus grow?
Streptopus amplexifolius var. americanus occurs in Modoc, Yuba, Butte, Plumas, Siskiyou, Humboldt, Trinity, Tehama and other counties, at elevations of 250-1700 m.
What plant family does Streptopus amplexifolius var. americanus belong to?
Streptopus amplexifolius var. americanus is in the Liliaceae family, genus Streptopus.
What habitat does Streptopus amplexifolius var. americanus grow in?
Streptopus amplexifolius var. americanus grows in Moist, shaded areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-01
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.