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Maianthemum racemosum (L.) Link ssp. racemosum

False Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassLiliopsidaMonocots (plants with a single seed leaf); includes the lily family
SubclassLiliidaeIncludes lilies, orchids, and many others
OrderAsparagalesA diverse group that includes asparagus
FamilyAsparagaceaeAgaves, asparagus, hyacinths, and others
GenusMaianthemumFrom Greek for “May flower,” for the blooming season
SpeciesracemosumWith flowers in racemes
ssp.racemosumWith flowers in racemes

About plant names...

False Solomon's seal is a native of North America. The term "false" is because of its resemblance to Solomon's seal.

Identification: Grows to a height of 1-3′ (30-91 cm), typically oriented mostly sideways, presumably to capture more sunlight. Leaves are alternate, oval-shaped, pointed on each end, with parallel veins, about 2½-6″ (7-15 cm) long and 1-2″ (3-6 cm) wide. Flowers are white, in feathery groups 2-4″ (5-10 cm) long, each about ⅛″ (3.2 mm) in diameter. Berries are bronze spotted with red at first, later becoming blackish red.

 

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

5/5/2016 · Wildflower Trail, Beaver Brook C, Hollis, New Hamp­shire ID is uncertain

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

8/12/2023 · Highlands Trail via Pismire Bluffs Trail, Raymond Community Forest, Raymond, Maine · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm)

Some similar species:
 
Polygonatum biflorum

Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum ‘Variegatum’

Polygonatum humile
Common Name

smooth Solomon’s-seal

variegated Solomon’s Seal

dwarf Solomon’s seal
Plant Up to 2′ (60 cm) long. Reaches 8-20″ (20-50 cm). Up to 1′ (30 cm) in height.
Flowers

 

Greenish-white, about ½″ (1.3 cm) long by ⅛″ (3.2 mm) around, bell-shaped, hanging in groups of 1-5.

 

White or greenish-white, like long bells, about ½″ (1.3 cm) long, hanging downward, often in pairs. Whiter than P. biflorum..

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard) 


White, bell-shaped, about ¼″ (8.3 mm) long, hanging singly from stem.
Leaves Up to 7″ (18 cm) by 2½″ (7 cm), oval, with pointed ends and parallel veins, yellow-green.

 

Oval, green fringed with white, 3-9″ (7.6-22 cm) long.
Elliptical, green, 1-3″ (2.5-7.6 cm) long.
Fruit ¼″ (6.3 mm) blue berries. Dark blue to black, less than ¼″ (6.3 mm) around. Shiny black, about ⅛″ (3.2 mm) around.
Range/ Zones

USDA Zones: 3-9

USDA Zones: 4-8

USDA Zones: 5-8
Habitats Woods, prairies, in sandy, loamy soil Wooded areas, dappled shade, deep shade Full to partial shade in temperate climates
Type Wild Cultivar Wild

 

Online References:

Wildflowers of the United States

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Connecticut Botanical Society's Connecticut wildflowers site

CalPhotos

Wikipedia

The Plants of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

6/4/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 1½ × 1′ (52 × 34 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

9/12/2013 · Andres Institute of Art, Big Bear Mountain, Brookline, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 6 × 9″ (15 × 22 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

7/27/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 2 × 1′ (59 × 39 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

5/11/2010 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

5/28/2016 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area,

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

6/2/2008 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

6/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 5 × 3″ (12 × 8.4 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

5/17/2016 · Worcester Road Trails, Beaver Br, Hollis, New Hamp­shire

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

8/18/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 15 × 10″ (39 × 26 cm) ID is uncertain

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

5/30/2014 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 11 × 7″ (28 × 18 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

8/6/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

8/6/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 9″ (15 × 22 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

9/18/2013 · Beaver Brook Assn Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 6 × 8″ (14 × 20 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

7/28/2017 · Porcupine Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 15 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

6/4/2021 · Robert P. Tristram Coffin Wild Flower Reservation, Woolwich, Maine · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

9/18/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm)

Convallaria racemosa L.

Smilacina ciliata Desf.

Smilacina flexicaulis Wender

Smilacina racemosa (L.) Desf.

Smilacina racemosa (L.) Desf. var. cylindrata Fernald

Smilacina racemosa (L.) Desf. var. lanceolata B. Boivin

Smilacina racemosa (L.) Desf. var. typica Fernald

Vagnera australis Rydb.

Vagnera racemosa (L.) Morong

 

Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 17 Oct 2023.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.


 

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

5/21/2013 · Beaver Brook Assn Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 11 × 7″ (28 × 18 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

8/14/2021 · Maquoit Bay Conservation Area, Brunswick, Maine · ≈ 3½ × 5″ (9 × 13 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

8/19/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 8 × 12″ (20 × 31 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

6/23/2013 · Rocky Ridge Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (16 × 11 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

7/25/2013 · Beaver Brook Assn Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 6 × 8″ (14 × 20 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

6/1/2013 · Beaver Brook Assn Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 6 × 9″ (16 × 23 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

8/21/2018 · Oak Hill, Littleton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (12 × 18 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

6/18/2012 · Vaughn Woods, South Berwick, Maine · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

9/13/2015 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 7 × 10″ (16 × 25 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

8/14/2015 · Roost Trail, Grafton Notch State Park, Newry, Maine · ≈ 6 × 9″ (16 × 23 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

7/21/2014 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 16 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

10/7/2012 · Beaver Brook Assn Conservation Lands, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

9/20/2015 · Beaver Brook Assn Conservation Lands, Big Tree Trail, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 6 × 9″ (15 × 22 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

9/7/2020 · Maquoit Bay Conservation Area, Brunswick, Maine · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 20 cm)

Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard)

5/15/1979 · Virginia · By Tim Chandler

Range:

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