NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum [= Smilacina racemosa]

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

Scientific Name:	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	Liliaceae (Lily 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:	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
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. Black Mountain, late April 2002 © MB Baumeister
Foliage Black Mountain, late April 2002 © MB Baumeister
Budding Plant Black Mountain, late April 2002 © MB Baumeister
Blooms Black Mountain, late April 2002 © MB Baumeister
Ripe Fruit Late August '08 Tom Harville
Developing inflorescence in mid-April Bettina Darveaux
Close-up of inflorescence (panicle); small flowers each have 6 tepals (indistinguishable petals and sepals) Jackson County, NC Bettina Darveaux
Links:	USDA PLANTS Database Record Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Flora of North America