STARRY SPIKENARD
File Size: 81 KB
 
Maianthemum stellatum   (L. ) Link
[=Smilacina stellata  (L. ) Desf.]
Johnson County, Kansas
Perennial
Height: 8-24 inches
Family: Asparagaceae - Asparagus Family
Flowering Period:   April, May, June
Also Called: False solomon's-seal.
Stems: Usually erect, sometimes ascending, unbranched, finely hairy or glabrous.
Leaves: Alternate, cauline, strongly ascending or spreading, sessile and clasping; blade parallel-veined, lanceolate or lance-oblong, 3.4 to 5 inches long, .6 to 1.6 inch wide, base tapered, margins entire, tip acute, lower surface finely pubescent, upper surface glabrous.
Inflorescences: Raceme, terminal, .8 to 2 inches long, 6-20-flowered; pedicels 1/8 to 1/4 inch.
Flowers: Bisexual, radially symmetric, spreading; tepals 6, greenish white or white, petal-like, narrowly lanceolate to elliptic or obovate, .12 to .28 inch; perianth rotate; stamens 6, filaments distinct; stigma obscurely 3-lobed.
Fruits: Berries green when young, maturing dark red, globose, 1/4 to 2/5 inch; seeds 1-6, brown, globose, 1/6 to 1/4 inch.
Habitat: Mesic oak-hickory and floodplain forests, and shaded canyons
Distribution: Nearly throughout Kansas
Origin: Native
Uses: The rhizomes of Maianthemum, after presoaking in lye and then boiled in water, were used as a minor food source by some Native Americans. The berries have cathartic properties but are eaten by some birds and small mammals.
Comments: Maianthemum, May and flower and stellatum starry, alluding to the flowers. Arises from long, slender, creeping rhizomes.

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