Maianthemum racemosum
Table of Contents
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Tracheophyta |
| Class: Liliopsida |
| Order: Asparagales |
| Family: Asparagaceae |
| Genus: Maianthemum |
| Species: Maianthemum racemosum |
Conservation Status
Identifying Features
The false solomon’s seal has small, white flowers that are clustered in a spike at the end of the plant. The flowers produce small, green to red berries that are round and grow in clusters at the end. The leaves are long, oval-shaped, and parallel veined that grow pointed at the tip.
Habitat & Range
The false solomon’s seal can be found in moist, shady woods and grow throughout much of Canada and the US.
Behavior
During the winter, the above-ground portion of the plant dies, but the underground roots will continue to live and produce new shoots the following spring.
Life Cycle
False solomon’s seal seeds germinate in the spring as the temperatures begin to warm up. After reaching maturity, the flowers bloom in early summer, typically between April-June. After pollination, the flowers develop into small, red berries that contain one or more seeds.
Featured image by James Dake.