Partridge-berry (Mitchella repens L.)
One of the evergreen plants in the spring woodland is a little vine called Partridge-berry. It trails, low to the ground, in shady, mossy woods, sometimes covering moist banks and hummocks with its shiny greenery.
Partridge-berry (Mitchella repens L.) is also known as Twinberry, Snakevine, Running Fox and Two-eyed Berry. The word repens is from the Latin for ‘creeping’.
The leaves of Partridge-berry are small, ovoid and opposite on a vine-like stem. The leaves have a bright yellow midrib and veins, giving them a clear outline against the background of dry leaves.
The flowers are white or pinkish, and bell-shaped. They occur in pairs – the two flowers are closely united at the base, sharing a single calyx. As a result, the bright red berries are two-eyed, each showing two blossom scars.
This time of year, in July, Partridge-berry has flowered and set its berries. The berries are dry and seedy but edible, with a slightly aromatic flavour. They are a good nibble along the trail or can be used as emergency food. The berries are ordinarily eaten by birds, such as the Ruffed Grouse.
Warning: 1. never eat any plant if you are not absolutely certain of the identification; 2. never eat any plant if you have personal sensitivities, including allergies, to certain plants or their derivatives; 3. never eat any plant unless you have checked several sources to verify the edibility of the plant.~
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common names
( Mitchella repens L.)
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1.
Running Fox
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a glimpse of red
between hairmoss and hummock
the fox slips into shrewd spaces
seeks the vacant way
~
2.
Snakevine
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a twist and a Twin-berry
trail woven and worn
mottled and mid-ribbed
Mitchella meanders
over feathermoss, under fern
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3.
Partridge-berry
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Ruffed Grouse pokes and pecks
tucks a Two-eyed Berry in his crop
lurches on
~
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© Jane Tims 2012
nichepoetryandprose 
I love this:
“the fox slips into shrewd spaces
seeks the vacant way”
The plant looks so small and not easily spotted.
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Robin
July 24, 2012 at 5:27 pm
Hi. The flowers are sometimes even harder to spot. We only have one little section of vine on our property so I guard it well! Jane
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jane tims
July 24, 2012 at 10:35 pm
I love the lines “slips into shrewd places
seeks the vacant way.” What a perfect capture of the way wild creatures move about. I really enjoyed this blog.
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Carol Steel
July 20, 2012 at 4:43 pm
Hi Carol. Thanks for the specific comment on my poem… it helps to know what ‘works’. We have been watching a family of foxes not far from our cabin, and they certainly know how to elude observation! Jane
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jane tims
July 20, 2012 at 5:01 pm
I saw these last June….when the berries were being formed and they do, indeed have two “eyes”… It’s a lovely little plant too.
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snowbirdpress
July 18, 2012 at 10:10 pm
Hi. I’m glad you’ve seen them! Jane
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jane tims
July 19, 2012 at 4:25 pm