Family: Asparagaceae
Author: (L.) Link
Bibliography: Enum. Hort. Berol. Alt. 1: 343 (1821)
Year: 1821
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Maianthemum
Vegetable: False
Observations: Subarctic America to NE. Mexico
Description
The Star false Solomon’s-seal, scientifically known as Maianthemum stellatum, stands as a perennial herbaceous plant appreciated for its delicate beauty and resilience across a vast geographic range. Belonging to the Asparagaceae family, this charming plant has established its natural habitat from Subarctic America all the way to Northeastern Mexico, showcasing its adaptability to diverse climatic conditions.
This plant was first formally described in Enumeratio Plantarum Horti Regii Berolinensis Altera, a historic botanical volume published in 1821. The classification and scientific nomenclature were provided by the botanist Heinrich Friedrich Link, whose taxonomic contributions remain significant to this day. With his authoritative description, Link underscored the distinguishing characteristics that set the Star false Solomon’s-seal apart from other species within its genus.
The physical appearance of Maianthemum stellatum is striking, with its graceful, arching stems and lance-shaped leaves, which display a unique, alternating pattern along the stem. During its blooming period, the plant produces star-shaped, white flowers, a feature that lends itself to the plant’s common name. This floral display is not just aesthetically pleasing but also serves to attract pollinators, playing a crucial role in the ecological landscape.
As the flowering season wanes, the plant gives way to small, greenish berries that mature to a dark blue, sometimes marbled, hue. These berries, while visually attractive, are important for the dispersal of seeds, ensuring the proliferation of the species across suitable habitats.
The widespread occurrence of the Star false Solomon’s-seal across the North American continent speaks to its robust adaptability. Found in a variety of environments, from shaded woodlands to open meadows, this plant thrives in well-drained soils and can often be spotted growing along stream banks and forest edges. Its resilience to varying climatic conditions and soil types makes it a versatile species within the Asparagaceae family.
In summary, Maianthemum stellatum, or the Star false Solomon’s-seal, is a noteworthy plant both for its botanical characteristics and its ecological significance. Its presence from the Subarctic regions to the warmer climates of Northeastern Mexico underlines its adaptability and the beauty it brings to diverse landscapes.
Common Names
Eng: false solomon’s seal, little false solomon’s-seal, star false solomon’s-seal, star-flower solomon’s-seal, starflower-solomon’s-seal, starry false lily of the valley, starry false solomon’s seal, starry false solomon’s-seal, starry solomon’s-seal, star-flowered false solomon’s seal, star-flowered lily-of-the-valley, little false solomon’s seal, star-flowered solomon’s seal, starry false lily-of-the-valley, starry solomon’s seal
Fra: smilacine étoilée, maïanthème étoilé
Swe: stjärnrams
En: Star false Solomon’s-seal, Starflower-Solomon’s-seal, Little false Solomon’s-seal, Starry false lily of the valley, Starry False Solomon’s-Seal, FALSE SOLOMONS SEAL, Starry Solomon plume, Starry Solomon’s-seal, Starry false Solomon’s seal, Starry false solomonseal, False Solomon’s seal, Star-flower Solomon’s-seal, Star-flowered Lily-of-the-valley, Star-flowered false Solomon’s seal, Little false Solomon’s seal, Star-flowered Solomon’s seal, Starry Solomon’s seal, Starry false lily-of-the-valley
Fi: Tähtirotkokielo
Fr: Smilacine étoilée, Maïanthème étoilée, Maïanthème étoilé
Nv: Yéʼii bidą́ą́ʼ yiltʼąąʼí
Pl: Majówka gwiazdkowata
Sv: Stjärnrams
Synonyms
- Vagnera stellata var. mollis (Farw.)
- Vagnera liliacea ((Greene) Rydb.)
- Asteranthemum vulgare (Kunth)
- Vagnera leptopetala (Rydb.)
- Unifolium liliaceum (Greene)
- Vagnera angustifolia (Raf.)
- Vagnera sessilifolia ((Nutt. ex Baker) Greene)
- Asteranthemum vulgare var. uniflorum ((Pursh) Kunth)
- Vagnera stellata ((L.) Morong)
- Unifolium stellatum ((L.) Greene)
- Convallaria stellata (L.)
- Smilacina sessilifolia (Nutt. ex Baker)
- Tovaria sessilifolia (Nutt. ex Baker)
- Smilacina stellata ((L.) Desf.)
- Convallaria hybrida (Marchal)
- Smilacina stellata var. crassa (Vict.)
- Tovaria stellata ((L.) Neck. ex Baker)
- Smilacina stellata var. sessilifolia ((Nutt. ex Baker) L.F.Hend.)
- Smilacina stellata f. paniculata (H.St.John)
- Unifolium sessilifolium ((Nutt. ex Baker) Greene)
- Smilacina liliacea ((Greene) Wynd)
- Asteranthemum stellatum ((L.) Nieuwl.)
- Smilacina stellata var. uniflora (Pursh)
- Smilacina stellata var. sylvatica (Vict. & J.Rousseau)
Distribution
- Alaska (native)
- Alberta (native)
- Arizona (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- California (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Delaware (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Labrador (native)
- Maine (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Montana (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- Nevada (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- New York (native)
- Newfoundland (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- Northwest Territorie (native)
- Nova Scotia (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Prince Edward I. (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- Saskatchewan (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Utah (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Virginia (native)
- Washington (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Wyoming (native)
- Yukon (native)
- Norway (introduced)
- Sweden (introduced)
Additional Images
Fruit
Taken Sep 2, 2018 by Thierry Thierry Bessière (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 5, 2021 by NewScotlandGal (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Pipi69e (public)
Taken Sep 22, 2021 by Joseph Mckenna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 3, 2021 by Peter Peter Kikic (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken May 8, 2019 by Szeles Kim (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 29, 2019 by linda lach (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 15, 2019 by Candise McMullin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 30, 2021 by Anthony Godoy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 29, 2021 by Rochelle Fjeldstrom (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Aug 1, 2015 by EOL − juliehatcher (cc-by-nc)
Taken Dec 7, 2014 by EOL − Erika Mitchell (cc-by-nc)
Taken Nov 23, 2021 by alex leduc (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2021 by Oosaagi (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 27, 2022 by Kris O’Kane (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken May 19, 2022 by Laura Santa Cruz (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 27, 2022 by Kris O’Kane (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 14, 2016 by EOL − Adam Huggins (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jun 22, 2021 by Renita Lavallee (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 8, 2021 by overzealousbystrom (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken May 10, 2017 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2769493)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:538039-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Maianthemum stellatum (L.) Link)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb