Achlys, Genus, spp., Multiple species,
- Genus
- Multiple species
vanilla leaf
Overview
Achlys is a genus of rhizomatous woodland perennials in the barberry family (Berberidaceae), with three species in moist forests of western North America and eastern Asia. Each plant sends up a single long-stalked leaf 10–40 cm (4–16 in) tall, divided into three broad, fan-shaped leaflets with scalloped or toothed margins. Slender leafless stalks carry a dense, bottlebrush-like spike of small white flowers that lack petals, the colour coming from many projecting stamens. Plants spread by creeping underground rhizomes to form broad, low colonies of overlapping leaves on the forest floor. The dried foliage gives off a scent of vanilla, the source of the common name vanilla leaf. Achlys grows in deep to part shade on moist, humus-rich, acidic soil and tolerates dense shade and root competition, but it scorches and goes dormant in dry or sunny sites. Foliage dies back in autumn and reappears in spring. The fruit is a small reddish-purple crescent-shaped follicle. Spread is gradual, and plants take time to fill an area.
Native Range
Achlys occurs in moist, shaded coniferous and mixed forests. A. triphylla and A. californica grow in western North America from British Columbia to California, while A. japonica is native to Japan and the Russian Far East.Suggested Uses
Planted as a shade groundcover under trees and shrubs, in woodland and native plant gardens, and along shaded paths. Massed for its overlapping fan-shaped foliage in damp, low-light areas. Suited to cool woodland conditions rather than sunny, dry borders.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'4"
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
medium greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow Achlys in part to deep shade on moist, humus-rich, acidic woodland soil. It tolerates dense shade, root competition, and consistently damp ground but scorches and goes dormant early in dry or sunny positions. A soil pH from about 5.0 to 6.5 suits it. Keep the soil cool and evenly moist with leaf-mould mulch. Plants spread slowly by rhizome and need little care once settled. Cold hardiness runs to about USDA zone 5.Pruning
Achlys needs no pruning. Removing tattered or dried leaves at the end of the season tidies the colony before new growth. Lifting and dividing rhizomes in autumn or early spring increases plants and fills gaps.Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons
