Trilisa odoratissima (J.F. Gmel.) Cass.

Vanilla Leaf; Deer's Tongue

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Vanilla Leaf is a native herbaceous perennial in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). It is native to the southern half of Alabama. Vanilla Leaf occurs in moist Longleaf pine forests, in savannas, in flatwoods, in bogs, and in seeps. It is a perennial with thick cord-like roots. The stems are 3-5 feet in height and unbranched below the inflorescence. The stems are glabrous and purplish-brown in color. Leaves are cauline and basal. The basal leaves are oblanceolate to obovate in outline, entire, glabrous, and usually glaucous. Stem leaves are sessile and reduced in size upwards. All parts of the plant have a vanilla odor when crushed. Flowers are produced in heads. The heads are arranged in corymbs. Each head is subtended by 5-12 phyllaries that are purple in color and gland-dotted. Each head has 7-10 purple disc flowers that are glandular. The fruit is a glandular achene with tan to brown pappus. The leaves of Vanilla Leaf were once collected and used to flavor pipe tobacco. Vanilla Leaf contains coumarins that if ingested can prevent blood from co-aggulating and cause liver disease. The leaves have been used in herbal medicine as a demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, and tonic. They are a folk remedy for coughs, malaria and neuroses. Vanilla Leaf is sometimes available from native plant nurseries. It prefers a site with full to partial sun and a moist, acidic soil.—A. Diamond

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Native

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