Maianthemum racemosum
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum
- Smilacina racemosa
- Phonetic Spelling
- may-an-the-mum ray-sih-MO-sum
- Description
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False Solomon's seal is a perennial wildflower native to the piedmont, mountains, and coastal plain of North Carolina. In nature, it can be found growing in deciduous forests throughout the region as it prefers moist, well-drained, humus-rich soils. It does not do well during hot, humid summers in the southern states. Caution should be taken when attempting to transplant as the roots don't take well to being disturbed, particularly when the plant has yet to become established. This plant can form a large colony, however, it colonizes slowly by way of its thick rhizomes. The foliage will die to the ground each fall, to emerge in the spring from its rhizomes.
The foliage resembles those found on Solomon's Seal, however, the flowers on each are different. In addition, False Solomon's Seal flowers appear at the end of the arching stems. The flowers on True Solomon Seal are droop from the leaf axils along the stem and are bell-shaped.
Its common name of False Solomons Seal comes from its resemblance to true Solomon's Seal. They may be found growing in the same areas.
Native Americans used the root and leaves in the production of medicinal tea. They also ate the young shoots and processed roots
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Shaded Slope
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Maianthemum
- Species:
- racemosa
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North America to Mexico
- Distribution:
- All USA states with the exception of Hawaii
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds, bees and small mammals enjoy the fruits as a food source. Attracts sweat bees, beetles, moths, flies, and other pollinating insects.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- The greenish fruits are available from August to October in North Carolina. They will turn a ruby red in summer, lasting into fall. The berries contain a few seeds that when eaten by birds and small mammals are spread into other areas.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The tiny, creamy white flowers are available from April to June in North Carolina. They form at the stem ends. The flower cluster can contain up to 80 individual flowers. The tiny flowers are 1/4" wide and have 6 tepals.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The 6", light green leaves have parallel veins. They resemble the leaves of the true Solomon's Seal.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Unbranched plant. The stems are arching.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Predatory Insects
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
