Practical
Plants

Streptopus roseus

Scootberry

a perennial member of the Streptopus genus in the family Convallariaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.5 m
Spread
0.3 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves and shoots are added to salads to impart a cucumber flavour[3]. They can also be cooked and used as greens[2][8]. Fruit - raw or cooked. A sweetish flavour[6], though it is said to be cathartic if eaten in quantity[3][6], especially if you have not eaten this fruit before[K]. A watermelon flavour[2]. The fruit is about 12mm in diameter[7].

Plant part
Fruit
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The fruit is cathartic[2][6]. An infusion of the roots has been used in the treatment of a fallen womb[8]. A cough syrup can be made from the root[8]. A poultice of the steeped root has been applied to the eyes in the treatment of sties[8]. The flowers are diaphoretic[8]. They can be used to induce sweating in the treatment of colds and fevers. The plant is tonic[8]. An infusion of the plant has been used in the treatment of coughs[8].

Product or use
Cathartic
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Pectoral
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Women's complaints

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - Newfoundland to Manitoba, south to Georgia and Michigan.
Habitat
Moist woods, river banks, alder thickets[2]. Damp montane woods, 9000 - 1800 metres[9].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the summer[5]. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as soon as it is received. The seed, especially if it has been stored, can be very slow to germinate, sometimes taking 18 months or more. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a shady part of the greenhouse or cold frame. It will normally take 2 or more growing seasons before the roots are large enough to plant out - this is best done when the plant is dormant in the autumn. Division as the plant comes into growth in early spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first year, planting them out in the following spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a cool leafy soil in shade or partial shade[4]. Thrives in a moist light soil containing organic matter[1]. Hardy to at least -20°c. A very ornamental plant[1].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  4. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  6. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5

    ↩

  8. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  9. Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00

    ↩

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