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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Maianthemum racemosum [= Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum, = Smilacina racemosa]

Eastern Solomon's-plume, False Solomon's-seal, Feathery False Lily-of-the-valley

Scientific Name:

Maianthemum racemosum [= Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum, = Smilacina racemosa]

Genus:

Maianthemum

Species Epithet:

racemosum

Common Name:

Eastern Solomon's-plume, False Solomon's-seal, Feathery False Lily-of-the-valley

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Ruscaceae (Ruscus Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

1-3 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

White

Light:

Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day, Less than 2 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Moist

Bloom Time:

April, May, June

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Moist to dry forests.  Common in NC Mountains and Piedmont, uncommon in Coastal Plain.

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Has some wildlife value

Landscape Value:

Recommended and Available

State Rank:

S5: Secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Notes:

Compare with the real Solomon's Seal, Polygonatum biflorum.

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. (Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center)

Some recommendations to plant in larger groups for good landscape impact

Blooming Plant

The False Solomon's Seal bloom is at the end of the stalk, rather than a row of blooms dangling beneath.

image

Black Mountain, late April 2002
© MB Baumeister

Foliage

image

Black Mountain, late April 2002
© MB Baumeister

Budding Plant

image

Black Mountain, late April 2002
© MB Baumeister

Blooms

image

Black Mountain, late April 2002
© MB Baumeister

Ripe Fruit

Late August '08

image

Tom Harville

Developing inflorescence in mid-April

Macon County, NC

The Scientific Name is Maianthemum racemosum [= Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum, = Smilacina racemosa]. You will likely hear them called Eastern Solomon's-plume, False Solomon's-seal, Feathery False Lily-of-the-valley. This picture shows the Developing inflorescence in mid-April of Maianthemum racemosum [= Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum, = Smilacina racemosa]

Bettina Darveaux

Close-up of inflorescence (panicle)

Jackson County, NC

The Scientific Name is Maianthemum racemosum [= Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum, = Smilacina racemosa]. You will likely hear them called Eastern Solomon's-plume, False Solomon's-seal, Feathery False Lily-of-the-valley. This picture shows the Close-up of inflorescence (panicle) of Maianthemum racemosum [= Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum, = Smilacina racemosa]

Bettina Darveaux

A beautiful patch flowering in the mountains of North Carolina

Macon County, NC

The Scientific Name is Maianthemum racemosum [= Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum, = Smilacina racemosa]. You will likely hear them called Eastern Solomon's-plume, False Solomon's-seal, Feathery False Lily-of-the-valley. This picture shows the A beautiful patch flowering in the mountains of North Carolina of Maianthemum racemosum [= Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum, = Smilacina racemosa]

Bettina Darveaux

Leaves are conspicuously veined and the stem has a slight zigzag.

Seven Mile Creek Natural Area, Orange Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Maianthemum racemosum [= Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum, = Smilacina racemosa]. You will likely hear them called Eastern Solomon's-plume, False Solomon's-seal, Feathery False Lily-of-the-valley. This picture shows the Leaves are conspicuously veined and the stem has a slight zigzag. of Maianthemum racemosum [= Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum, = Smilacina racemosa]

Bettina Darveaux

Close-up of flowers beginning to open.

Macon Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Maianthemum racemosum [= Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum, = Smilacina racemosa]. You will likely hear them called Eastern Solomon's-plume, False Solomon's-seal, Feathery False Lily-of-the-valley. This picture shows the Close-up of flowers beginning to open. of Maianthemum racemosum [= Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum, = Smilacina racemosa]

Bettina Darveaux

The small flowers each have 6 tepals (indistinguishable petals and sepals).

Macon Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Maianthemum racemosum [= Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum, = Smilacina racemosa]. You will likely hear them called Eastern Solomon's-plume, False Solomon's-seal, Feathery False Lily-of-the-valley. This picture shows the The small flowers each have 6 tepals (indistinguishable petals and sepals). of Maianthemum racemosum [= Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum, = Smilacina racemosa]

Bettina Darveaux

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Flora of North America
 



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