Wild Sarsaparilla

Wild Sarsaparilla flowers glow in the darker areas underneath the trees at Coffee Creek. They appear like hundreds of bright little snow balls hanging near the ground.

Wild Sarsaparilla flowers appear on a single stalk and most are without leaves near or around them. The leaves apparently fall from the plant just before the flowers appear, making identification with leaves and flower impossible in most cases.

Because they appear with just the naked flower on a stalk they are also called the Devil's Walkingstick.

The rhizomes are said to have a multitude of medicinal purposes.     

Source: Audubon Wildflower Fieldguide