Bloomipedia
Vanilla leaf (Achlys triphylla)
Photo: 66dodge via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Vanilla leaf

Achlys triphylla

Vanilla leaf (Achlys triphylla) is a flowering plant in the Berberidaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly May–June across the U.S.

Native in the lower 48

Vanilla leaf is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 2 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in May–June.

3states where USDA records it
2Bloomipedia state lists include it
5,571U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Oregon, Washington

Quick look

Achlys triphylla, with the common names deer foot, vanilla leaf, or sweet after death, is a plant species native to the mountains of the West Coast of North America.

  • It belongs to the Berberidaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 3 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Washington and Oregon. NatureServe
  • In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. iNaturalist
  • In Oregon, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 3,358 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #52 among the 187 flowers on our Washington list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 1,774 research-grade sightings of it in Oregon, ranking #100 among the 184 flowers on our Oregon list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (301 records)
Bloom time in the 2 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
WashingtonNativeMay–June3,358
OregonNativeMay–June1,774

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Washington
No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Washington.
Oregon
Not listed Not on Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Oregon. OAR 603-073-0070
Rare elsewhere
No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records vanilla leaf in 3 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

California, Oregon, Washington.

Washington counties with USDA records: Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Whatcom, Yakima.

Oregon counties with USDA records: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, Yamhill.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Canada: Native; Lower 48 states: Native.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 47 counties across 3 states; the most are in Oregon (21), Washington (21), California (5).

More from the Berberidaceae family (12 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Mayapple, Japanese barberry, Heavenly bamboo, Agarita, Creeping mahonia, Oregon grape, Cascade oregon-grape, Leatherleaf mahonia.

More Washington flowers

Cascade oregon-grape (Berberis nervosa)

Cascade oregon-grape

Berberis nervosa

Native

🌼 Blooms in WA: April–May
Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium)

Oregon grape

Berberis aquifolium

★ OR state flowerNative

🌼 Blooms in WA: March–May
Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis)

Salmonberry

Rubus spectabilis

Native

🌼 Blooms in WA: March–May

Sources