STARRY SOLOMON’S SEAL
Maianthemum stellatum
LILY FAMILY (Liliaceae)
Identification
- Flowering time - April, May, June
- Uncommon in moist floodplain habitats
- Unbranched, showy flower cluster at end of stem
- Star shaped flowers with 6 tepals (3 petals and 3 identical sepals) at end of stem
- See comments for comparison with 2 similar species
This native perennial grows up to 2 feet tall. The large, folded, alternate, lance-shaped leaves clasp an erect to arching stem (A). The star-shaped, white flowers are in a cluster (raceme) at the end of the stem (A,B). Each flower has 6 tepals (3 true petals and 3 sepals that look exactly like petals). The fruit is first yellowish with red or black stripes (C), later becoming red or dark red.
Grows on the floodplain near water at Fontenelle Forest where it is common along Stream Trail. Occurrence at Neale Woods seems likely, but has not been documented to date. Flowering occurs from April to June.
This species has a narrower flower cluster with larger, showier flowers and narrower leaves than closely related Maianthemum racemosum (False Solomon’s Seal) which has a pyramid-shaped, branching flower cluster with many, tiny individual flowers. Polygonatum biflorum (Solomon’s Seal) has dangling, greenish, tubular flowers which are hidden behind the leaves of its arching stem. Its flowers are followed by dangling green, eventually purple, berries.
Also known as False Solomon’s Seal, Spikenard and Star-Flowered Solomon’s Seal, among others, some of which are shared with these other closely related species.
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