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False Solomon's seal's stem terminates in a flattened panicle of hairy, whitish-green stalks about 3-5" long and 2" across bearing 20-80 white flowers. The individual flowers are bright white, about 3/16" across with six narrow, spreading, strap-like tepals that are shorter than the stamens, six stamens with triangular white filaments and pale yellow or cream-colored anthers, and a single central style on top of a globose ovary. The fruit is a spherical berry, initially whitish in color, turning mottled red and later bright, translucent-red (like a currant) when ripe. It can be a bit tricky to distinguish false Solomon's seal from starry false Solomon's seal, especially early in the spring when the plants are small. Two features help: the inflorescence of false Solomon's seal is two to three the size (in linear dimensions and number of flowers) as that of starry false Solomon's seal, and the stigma of false Solomon's seal is two- or three-lobed and sessile (rests directly on the ovary), while the stigma of starry false Solomon's seal is elevated on a long style (as long as the stamens). In Jackson Park, false Solomon's seal is very tolerant of woodland habitats.

Maianthemum

Maianthemum racemosum

false Solomon's seal [Blooms: Apr-Jun]

Starry false Solomon's seal stems terminate in a 1-4" long cluster (a raceme) of up to 20 white flowers, each ~3/8" across. Individual flowers have six narrow, spoon-shaped tepals longer than the stamens, six stamens with creamy-yellow anthers, and a vase-shaped pistil with a stout style. The fruit is a 1/4" diameter berry, initially green with dark stripes, becoming bright red with maturity. The leaves of Maianthemum stellatum are much narrower than those of Maianthemum racemosum (false Solomon's seal) or Polygonatum biflorum (Solomon's seal) and has an overall appearance more like a lily than a Solomon's seal (false or smooth). It can be a bit tricky to distinguish false Solomon's seal from starry false Solomon's seal, especially early in the spring when the plants are small. Two features help: the inflorescence of false Solomon's seal is two to three the size (in both linear dimensions and number of flowers) as that of starry false Solomon's seal, and the stigma of false Solomon's seal is two- or three-lobed and sessile (rests directly on the ovary), while the stigma of starry false Solomon's seal is elevated on a long style (as long as the stamens). In Jackson Park, false Solomon's seal is very tolerant of woodland habitats; starry false Solomon's seal prefers sunnier habitats like open grasslands.

Maianthemum

Maianthemum stellatum

starry false Solomon's seal [Blooms: Apr-May]