Scootberry (Streptopus roseus). The "scoots" was slang for diarrhea
in nineteenth century New Hamshire and since these sweetish red berries
always acted as a physic on the youngsters who eagerly ate them, they were
called "scoot" berries. The scootberry grows to 2 1/2 feet tall, has a
creeping, much branched rootstock and hairy, slightly branched stems. Its
leaves are ovalish or lanceshaped, partly clasping the stems. The plants
purplish-pink, bell shaped flowers grow on a short, twisted stalk from the
axils of the leaves, giving it its other common name twisted stalk. Also
called liverberry, it is native to eastern North America, preferring damp,
shady places and an acid soil of pH4 to 5. It is increased by division of
the rootstocks.
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