| Prosartes trachycarpa | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Liliales |
| Family: | Liliaceae |
| Genus: | Prosartes |
| Species: | P. trachycarpa |
| Binomial name | |
| Prosartes trachycarpa S. Watson |
|
Prosartes trachycarpa, or Rough-Fruited Fairybells or Rough-Fruited Mandarin, is a member of the genus Prosartes of perennial flowering plants in the family Liliaceae. This species was previously placed in the genus Disporum.[1] The flowers are delicate and hang down. The berry is larger than a Saskatoon, pincherry or chokecherry, about the size of a grocery store cherry or small grape. The rough-fruited fairybell can be found in the same locale as other native fruits such as Saskatoons, and Chokecherries.[2][3][4] This perennial is 30 centimeters (12 in) to 60 centimeters (24 in) in height. The leaves alternate and are about 3 centimeters (1.2 in) to 8 centimeters (3.1 in) Berries begin yellow, then orange and when fully ripe are red. The surface of the fruit feels fuzzy and velvety. The images of the rough-fruited fairy bell here were photographed as one was climbing up the riverbank of the South Saskatchewan River south of Saskatoon. The first nations ate fairybells, and a previous name was dog feet.[5]
The species shown, Prosartes trachycarpa (rough-fruited fairybell) is found in western Canada. They are listed amongst plants found in the Prince Albert National Park and Riding Mountain National Park and are considered a common range plant of northern Saskatchewan.[6][7]