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This plant is named because the leaves are shaped like a deer's
tongue - long and narrow, with a reddish-purple streak at the
base. It is most commonly found in damp, pine flatwoods, which
are kept open by regular fires. The plant is sometimes called
vanilla leaf, or wild vanilla, because of the distinct smell
of vanilla when the leaves are crushed. The leaves contain crystals
of a chemical called coumarin, which gives off the vanilla-like
odor. In the 1900's, the leaves were collected and sold to flavor pipe and cigarette tobacco, however, modern processes use artificial additives to enhance tobacco flavor, so deer tongue is no longer collected commercially for this purpose. The plant has been used for some medicinal purposes. A warm, bitter drink prepared from the leaves is said to be effective in reducing fevers, soothing irritated mucous membranes and cleansing the blood, by promoting perspiration. |
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Deertongue does not grow well on high, dry land or in swampy, wet areas but prefers damp pine flatwoods that have been kept open with prescribed fire. It is common throughout North America. |
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