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False Solomon's Seal

Maianthemum racemosum

Also known as: Feathery False Lily of the Valley

Arching stems end in frothy plumes of tiny white flowers in spring, followed by berries that ripen from green through speckled bronze to translucent red. Spreads slowly by rhizome into broad drifts across moist woodland shade. The pea-sized fruit is edible raw or cooked into jelly.

Family

Asparagaceae

Type

wildflower

Lifespan

perennial

Height

2–3 ft

Spacing

1.5–2 ft apart

Light

part shade, shade

Soil moisture

moist

Soil pH

acidic, neutral

Bloom

April

Bloom colors

white

Wildlife value

pollinators, mammals, songbirds

Landscape uses

border, naturalizing

Native states

AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY