Height: This rhizomatous perennial can grow to 1 foot tall and is constidered a groundcover.

Habitat: Grows best in moist soil in shady forested areas with high organic matter. Drought tolerant once established.

Foliage: Scalloped leaves are divided into three leaflets horizontally on stem. Leaves can be finely and sharply toothed or have blunt tipped lobes.

Flowers: Small, white, bottle brush shaped flowers bloom March to June. Flower spike 1-3 inches in length.

Fruits: Achnes, dark grey-brown to reddish purple, very fine hairy, leathery, crescent- shaped, inner side concave.

Natural Habitat: Western North America; moist, shady forests; low to moderate elevations; stream banks or well-shaded ravines.

Why is it good for my garden? This perennial makes a great groundcover in a moist, wooded area.  Crushed leaves have a vanilla scent for this wonderful groundcover. When dried properly, this plant gives a strongly aromatic smell of vanilla which can make for a decent air freshener. This plant also has insect repelling characteristics when hung in bunches dried in doorways or even can serve as a naturalist remedy to repel flies and mosquitoes. Often found alongside thimbleberry, salmonberry, and lady fern.