 Photo Courtesy of K. Hubeny |
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| Common Name(s) | False Solomon’s Seal | ||||
| Scientific Name | Maianthemum racemosum | ||||
| Family | Liliaceae | ||||
| Location/Vegetative Zone | Thicket (Bike Path) | ||||
| Flowering Period | May-July | ||||
| Identifying Characteristics | Grows in different shades of green. | ||||
Description
- Can grow up to 76.2 cm
- Leaves are:
- Alternating and veined
- 15.24 in length and 7.62 in width.
- Slightly hairy
- 20 to 80 white flowers that are 4mm sprout from hairy, whitish-green stalks
- Flowers last for about 3 weeks
- Flowers eventually replaced by 6 mm berries, bright red or red and purple striped.
Medicinal/Edible Uses
- Can be cooked and eaten.
- Can be cooked to treat healing wounds, bruises, coughs, sore eyes and constipation.
- Used as an adaptogenic herb (help mind and body adapt to stress).
- Tea made from the roots used to treat constipation and upset stomach.
- Tea made from the leaves used to relieve coughing and itching/rashes, and is believed to aid in contraception.
Cultural Uses
- Ornamental in perennial flower gardens
- Roots
- Native Americans would crush and mix with water to soak fishing lines and stun fish
- Facilitate harvest from streams
Misc
- Growing conditions
- Light shade/partially exposed to sun
- Moist to slightly dry conditions
- Fertile soil with a lot of organic material, sandy soil, and rocky soil
Source
“Species Pages: False Solomon’s Seal”. Pennsylvania State University. 2009. Web.
“False Solomon’s Seal: Edible, Medicinal, Cautions & Other Uses”. Plight to Freedom. Wordpress. 2015. Web.
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