Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses

STARRY SPIKENARD

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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.

Starry spikenard leaves