False Solomon's Seal

Solomon's seal at the Avenue of the Giants

False Solomon's seal (or star-flowered Solomon's seal) is a very attractive plant with silky smooth leaves. When in bloom, it produces small white flowers that turn into berries as the plant matures. Sometimes this plant covers a large ground forming a meadow right there in the forest. The plant likes semi shade and grows well under the trees.

False Solomon's seal flower turning into berries

The Latin name is Maianthemum stellatum, not to be confused with Maianthemum racemosum. The latter has much smaller flowers forming "plumes". I have not seen the latter plant in our forest wheres the former grows in abundance at the Avenue of the Giants. They are closely related though, as can be seen from the similar genus name. The plant known as Solomon's seal (the true) is a different genus: Polygonatum  (not to be confused with Polygonum, a totally different and unrelated plant) commutatum: a beautiful plant with lots of white bell shaped flowers. Unfortunately it does not grow in our part of the world but mainly in the eastern part of the country.

False Solomon's seal leaves

All the aforementioned plants belong to asparagus family (Asparagaceae).

The juice from Maianthemum stellatum is effective against nettle sting. Just rub the fresh leaf against the damaged part to release the juices.