Achlys triphylla, commonly called vanilla leaf. is found from British Columbia to Northern California. It prefers moist shaded sites in forest openings and along streambeds. It can be found anywhere from coastal areas to mountainous areas up to 5000 feet. Small fuzzy white flowers are held slightly above the bright green leaves from March to June. It is those leaves, when dried, that give the plant its common name of vanilla leaf, giving off a distinct vanilla fragrance when crushed. This groundcover spreads by rhizomes.

Native Americans mashed the whole plant, soaked it in water and used the infusion as an emetic. An infusion was also made from the leaves and drunk as treatment for tuberculosis.

Vanilla leaf can be found mingling with ferns and other groundcovers in the shaded area near the south entrance to the garden.