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Maianthemumracemosum (Linnaeus) Link. Eastern Solomon's-plume, May-Plume, Treacleberry, "False Solomon's-seal". Phen: Mid Apr-Jun; Aug-Oct. Hab: Moist to dry forests. Dist: The species (as here circumscribed narrowly to exclude the western M. amplexicaule) ranges from NS west to MB, south to GA, FL Panhandle, OK, and ne. TX.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Taxonomy Comments: The circumscription of this taxon has varied, from separate taxa at species, subspecies, or varietal rank in eastern vs. western North America, to recognizing a single polymorphic species. Recent evidence supports recognition of two taxa at species rank (Floden 2017b). A variety of chromosome races are known (2n = 36, 72, 144). The eastern M. racemosum is tetraploid; M. amplexicaule (Nuttall) W.A. Weber is diploid and more western. Under the generic name Smilacina, two varieties had been described for our area, Smilacina racemosa var. racemosa and S. racemosa var. cylindrata Fernald, the former larger in nearly all respects and more northern than the latter, smaller, and more southern form (see F for details).
Synonymy ⓘ: = K4, Floden (2017b) in Weakley et al (2017); = Maianthemumracemosum (L.) Link ssp. racemosum – Ar, FNA26, K1, K3, Mo1, NE, NY, Va, Judd (2003), LaFrankie (1986); = Smilacinaracemosa (L.) Desf. var. racemosa – Tx; < Maianthemumracemosum (L.) Link – ETx1, Mi, Ok, Pa, Tn, WH3; < Smilacinaracemosa (L.) Desf. – C, G, Il, RAB, W; > Smilacinaracemosa (L.) Desf. var. cylindrata Fernald – F, Tat, WV; > Smilacinaracemosa (L.) Desf. var. racemosa – F, WV; > Vagneraaustralis Rydb. – S, S13; > Vagneraracemosa (L.) Morong – S, S13
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Horticultural Information
Intro:Ascending-arching perennial of moist to dry forests.
Stems:Stem solitary, usually arching and with a slight zigzag, hairy or smooth, with a few sheathing bracts at the base.
Leaves:Leaves alternate, nearly clasping, elliptic to lance-shaped and often with a long tip, to 3 in. long, with 3-5 main parallel veins, smooth or hairy above, hairy beneath.
Inforescence:
Flowers:Flowers in a plumelike terminal panicle 2--5 in. long, white, fragrant, tiny, consisting of 6 pointed tepals and 6 wide, flat stamens surrounding the white ovary.
Fruits:Fruit a round berry starting out coppery green and turning bright red.
Comments:
Height:10-24 in.
plant sale text:Solomon's-plume features clusters of tiny white flowers blooming at the ends of its arching stems in late spring. Its flowers are followed by showy reddish fruits in late summer that provide a nice contrast with the glossy green foliage. Solomon's-plume is an excellent plant for your shade garden. Although this shade-loving native perennial is not often offered for sale, it is easy to grow in moist soil with lots of organic matter. You can plant it in combination with Wild Ginger to enhance your woodland garden.
bloom table text:
description:Ascending-arching perennial of moist to dry forests.
stems:Stem solitary, usually arching and with a slight zigzag, hairy or smooth, with a few sheathing bracts at the base.
leaves:Leaves alternate, nearly clasping, elliptic to lance-shaped and often with a long tip, to 3 in. long, with 3-5 main parallel veins, smooth or hairy above, hairy beneath.
inflorescence:
flowers:Flowers in a plumelike terminal panicle 2--5 in. long, white, fragrant, tiny, consisting of 6 pointed tepals and 6 wide, flat stamens surrounding the white ovary.
fruits:Fruit a round berry starting out coppery green and turning bright red.
