Flower ID: IMG_0644.JPG-06-06-2017 Flower name (scientific): Maianthemum racemosum (Linnaeus) Link PY: 1821. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) may-AN-the-mum (or ma-AN-the-mum) ray-sih-MO-sum Flower name (common): False Solomon's Seal Family name (common): Asparagus Family name (scientific): Asparagaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Greek Maius for May and anthemon for flower, based on the blooming season. Specific epithet: With flowers in racemes. Common name origin: Possibly from the belief that markings on parts of the plant look like a royal seal. An alternative suggestion is that the roots were used to seal and close up wounds. The word false is used to indicate that this species is not Polygonatum biflorum (Solomon's Seal or Smooth Solomon's Seal) or perhaps one of the other species that have Solomon's Seal as part of the common name. Flower description: Size: 0.1 to 0.2 inches (0.3 to 0.5 cm) Petal count: 6 Color: White Other: flower arrangement, Panicle Plant description: Erect Size: 16 to 32 inches (41 to 81 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple Size: Leaves up to 18 cm long and 8 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, elliptic to ovate (FNA) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): May to June Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Woods, forests, sun or shade, dry to moist, sandy or rich soil. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Click for pollinator information on this flower. Similar species (if any): Maianthemum stellatum (Starry False Solomon's Seal) has some simlarity. The latter species has leaves that are more narrow compared with Maianthemum racemosum. The flowers of Maianthemum stellatum are larger, about 10 mm, compared with the flowers of Maianthemum racemosum, which are about 3 mm. Vegetatively Maianthemum racemosum resembles Polygonatum biflorum (Smooth Solomon's Seal), but the latter species has flowers on the underside of the stem, whereas Maianthemum racemosum has a terminal inflorescence. Ethnobotany: The Ojibwe used the root as an ingredient in a preparation employed as a remedy for sore throat, headaches, as a kidney aid during pregnancy, and as a reviver. They also used the root as food source (Smith, pp. 374, 407, 1932; Gilmore, p. 125, 1933). Gilmore uses the old name Smilacina racemosa. The Potawatomi used the smoke from the burnt root to help revive a comatose patient. They also used the berries as a food source (Smith, p. 60, 1933). The Menominee employed the roots of this plant to prepare a medicine to treaat catarrh (Smith, p. 41, 1923). The Meskwaki utilized this plant for multiple medical purposes: to treat mental health issues, for severe unspecified illness, to loosen the bowels, and to cast spells (Smith, p. 230-231, 1928). In these four references Smith uses the old synonym name Smilacina racemosa for this plant. Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (AB, BC, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, ON, PE, QC, SK) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: Convallaria racemosa Linnaeus Sp. Pl. 1: 315. 1753. Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym:Maianthemum racemosum subsp. racemosum (The other infraspecific is Maianthemum racemosum subsp. amplexicaule (Nuttall) LaFrankie which is present in the western states and provinces of the US and Canada.) Wetland Status (NC): FACU Wetland Status (MW): FACU