Nature Center of Charleston
Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum (L.) Link
Feathery false lily of the valley, False spikenard, False Solomon's seal, Solomon's plume, Smilacina
Liliaceae (Lily Family)
The 1-3 ft., arching, unbranched stems of this widespread
perennial bear two rows of
elliptic leaves. A many-flowered
raceme is at the tip of the
stem and is made up of tiny, white flowers. Berries ripen to a pink-red in autumn. Each branched
rhizome bears one to several stems. As a landscaping plant, it is most effective when planted in groups of six or more stalks.
The feathery, creamy-white masses of flowers borne at the end of the
stem distinguish this species from the true Solomons seals (
Polygonatum spp.), which have
pendulous, axillary, bell-like flowers. The
rhizome lacks the seal-like pattern of the true Solomons seals, but exhibits circular
stem scars. The usual western form is var.
amplexicaulis with longer flower clusters and shorter leaves than the eastern variety. A smaller species, Star-flowered Solomons Seal (
M. stellatum), found throughout the East except for the coastal states from North Carolina to Texas, has a
raceme of larger star-shaped flowers, 1/4 (6 mm) long, leaves
clasping stem, and larger berries; at first the berries are striped with blackish red, eventually becoming completely blackish red.
Image Gallery:
9 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Herb Leaf Complexity: Simple Flower: Flowers in 1 to 4 inch clusters. Individual flowers tiny.
Fruit: Red In 1 to 4 inch clusters
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AL , AK , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , NC , ND , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , VT , VA , WV , WI , DC
Canada: BC ,
MB ,
NB ,
NS ,
ON ,
PE ,
QC Native Distribution: N.S. to AK, s. in the east to GA & TX, in the west through mts. to AZ & s. CA
Native Habitat: Woods; clearings; bluffs
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Deep, humus-rich, acid soils.
Conditions Comments: Though it prefers moist,
deciduous woods, this plant is also found, in a stunted form, growing in drier, shallower soils or open spaces.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: A good shade plant with late spring blossoms.
Use Wildlife: Birds and small mammals eat this plants berries. Deer browse leaves.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds
Deer Resistant: No
Last Update: 2010-04-24
