Maianthemum stellatum

Native

Dry to moderate moisture. Woods, prairies. Full to partial sun.

May to June

White

8″ to 24″

This is an 8″ to 24″ tall, erect, perennial forb that rises on a single stem from a long, creeping rhizome. It often forms colonies.

The stems are erect, usually slightly reclined, unbranched, slightly zigzagged, and hairless. It has 8 to 11 leaves.

The leaves are alternate, spreading to ascending, stiff, usually folded, stalkless, and somewhat clasping. They are lance-shaped, 2⅓″ to 6″ long, and ¾″ to 2″ wide. They are rounded at the base and taper gradually to a point at the tip with straight sides along the tip. The upper surface is hairless, the lower surface finely hairy. The margins are untoothed.

The inflorescence is a spike-like, erect or ascending, ¾″ to 2″ long, unbranched cluster of 6 to 15 flowers on a short stalk at the end of the stem.

The flowers are about ⅓″ wide and star-shaped. There are 3 narrow, spreading, white petals and 3 similar sepals (6 tepals), and 6 stamens. They have a mild fragrance.

The fruit is a globular berry, 5 ⁄16″ to ⅜″ in diameter, with 1 or 2 seeds. It is initially green, becoming dark blue-violet when it ripens. They are yellowish-green when young with 3 to 6 red to purple stripes. When they mature they turn dark red.

Common false Solomon’s seal (Maianthemum racemosum var. racemosum) is a slightly taller plant, reaching up to 30″ at maturity. The leaves are broader, egg-shaped to elliptic, and are not stiff or folded. The inflorescence is a plume-like, branched panicle of 20 to 80 tiny flowers. The flowers are about ⅛″ wide. The fruits are smaller and are green with copper spots when young.

Hairy Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum pubescens) is a taller plant, reaching up to 36″ at maturity. The stem is arching. The leaves are broader, are on short stalks, and are not stiff or folded. The inflorescence is small clusters of cylinder-shaped flowers hanging downward from most leaf axils. The fruits are green when young and dark blue-violet when mature.

Large-flowered bellwort (Uvularia grandifloria) leaves are perfoliate. The inflorescence is 1 to 3 solitary flowers that appear to hang downward from leaf axils. The flowers are bell-shaped, 1″ to 2″ long, and bright yellow. The fruit is a 3-celled, greenish to yellowish-brown capsule.

Rose twisted-stalk (Streptopus lanceolatus var. longipes) is a taller plant, reaching up to 36″ at maturity. The stem is hairy, branching, and jointed at the leaf axils giving it a zigzag appearance. The leaves do not clasp the stem. The flowers are dark rose-purple to pink and bell-shaped. They hang downward from leaf axils singly on stems up to 2″ long that are twisted or have an abrupt bend in the middle. The fruit is bright red.

Smooth Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum biflorum var. commutatum) is a much taller plant, reaching up to 48″ at maturity. The stem is arching. The leaves are broader and are not stiff or folded. The inflorescence is small clusters of cylinder-shaped flowers hanging downward from most leaf axils. The fruits are green when young and blackish red when mature.