Deer foot vanilla leaf, Storm King
Deer foot-Vanilla leaf is a delicate spring-flowering perennial of moist & shady woodlands, characteristic of coastal zones with marine influence … and stream-valleys and lake-sides. The leaf is a triplet, with a shape more like a duck or goose foot; the hoof-analogy is a stretch … but the leaf-edge shape is distinctive. It has a narrow, erect stalk that bears the flowers and seeds; about shin-high. They grow & spread in patches from a rhizome-runner, in loose, well-drained woodland soil. The rootstock seems like it would be worth a try, transplanting; easy to collect. The soil is often like a friable-compost lightened potting soil, which is fairly common in the woods it likes. Very tender, the plant crushes underfoot. … cont’d >