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Maianthemum racemosum
false Solomon's Seal
Alaska south through BC, Washington, Oregon, California; across most of North America; moist to dry woodlands, forest edges, and shaded slopesLearn more
Overview
A rhizomatous, colony-forming, deciduous herbaceous perennial in the family Asparagaceae, native to moist to dry woodlands, forest edges, and shaded slopes from Alaska south through British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon to California and across most of North America. The specific epithet racemosum means 'having racemes,' though the flowers are technically borne in a branched panicle (not a true raceme). The PNW population is referable to subspecies amplexicaule, in which the leaf bases clasp the stem directly without a petiole — a useful field distinction from the eastern subspecies. Plants grow 1.5–3 feet (45–90 cm) tall with arching, unbranched stems bearing 7–15 alternate, lance-shaped to elliptic, bright green leaves 3–6 inches (8–15 cm) long with prominent parallel veins and a clasping base. From May through June, the stem tip produces a large, branched, feathery, pyramidal panicle 2–5 inches (5–13 cm) long of dozens to hundreds of small, creamy-white, sweetly fragrant, six-parted flowers. Berries ripen from green with dark red stripes to bright red by August–September and are consumed by grouse, thrushes, and small mammals. Berries are mildly toxic to humans in quantity (purgative). Fragrant flowers are a reliable identification character.
Native Range
Native to moist to dry woodlands, forest edges, and shaded slopes from Alaska south through British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California across most of North America.Suggested Uses
Planted as a native woodland perennial or colony-forming groundcover in Pacific Northwest shade gardens, forest edges, and woodland border plantings at 18–24 inch (45–60 cm) spacing. The arching stems, feathery white flower panicles, and red fall berries provide excellent multi-season interest. More adaptable to typical garden shade conditions than many PNW natives. Combines with Polystichum munitum, Heuchera micrantha, Trillium ovatum, and Cornus unalaschkensis in PNW shade and woodland gardens.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'6" - 3'
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'6"
Bloom Information
Blooms May through June for 3–5 weeks, producing large, branched, feathery, pyramidal panicles of dozens to hundreds of small, sweetly fragrant, creamy-white, six-parted flowers at each arching stem tip. Fragrance is a reliable identification character and attracts diverse native bees and flies. Berries ripen from green with dark stripes to bright red by August–September — consumed by grouse, thrushes, and small mammals.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
creamy white; sweetly fragrant; small six-parted flowers in large branched FEATHERY PYRAMIDAL PANICLE 2–5 inches at stem tip — key distinction from M. stellatum (simple raceme) and M. dilatatum (cylindrical 4-parted); May–June; bright red berries Aug–SeptFoliage Description
bright green; 7–15 alternate lance-shaped to elliptic leaves 3–6 inches with prominent parallel veins; clasping (amplexicaule) base in PNW subspecies — no petiole; arching unbranched stemsGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 1-4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant in partial to full shade in moist to average, humus-rich, acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 5.0–7.0. One of the most adaptable native PNW woodland perennials — tolerates a wider range of moisture and soil conditions than most shade perennials, from periodically dry forest understory to consistently moist streamside soils. Spreads by creeping rhizome to form loose colonies over time. No fertilizer needed. More tolerant of dry summer conditions than Maianthemum dilatatum.Pruning
No pruning required. Remove dead stems in late winter before new growth emerges. Divide congested clumps in early spring if desired.Pruning Schedule
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early spring