Perennials

Maianthemum stellatum

star-flowered false Solomon's seal

Asparagaceae

Alaska south through BC, Washington, Oregon to California; east across most of North America; moist open woodlands, forest edges, dry meadows, prairies, and shrubby slopes

At a Glance

TypePerennial
HabitSpreading
FoliageDeciduous
Height8-24 inches (20-60 cm)
Width12-24 inches (30-60 cm); spreads by rhizome

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 9
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Drought Tolerant
Fragrant (light)
Container Friendly
Native to North America
Maintenancevery low

Overview

A rhizomatous, colony-forming, deciduous herbaceous perennial in the family Asparagaceae, native to a wide range of habitats — from moist open woodlands and forest edges to dry meadows, prairies, and shrubby slopes — from Alaska south through British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon to California, and east across most of North America. The specific epithet stellatum means 'star-like,' referring to the star-shaped individual flowers with six spreading, narrowly lance-shaped white petals. Plants grow 8–24 inches (20–60 cm) tall with arching, slightly zigzag stems bearing 5–12 alternate, narrowly lance-shaped to elliptic, blue-green to medium green leaves 2–5 inches (5–13 cm) long with parallel veins and sessile, slightly clasping bases. From April through June, the stem tip produces a simple (unbranched), erect raceme 1–3 inches (2.5–8 cm) long of 5–15 distinctly star-like white flowers 0.4–0.6 inch (10–15 mm) across with six narrow, spreading petals — noticeably larger and more widely spaced than the flowers of M. racemosum. Berries are green with dark purple-black longitudinal stripes, ripening to dark red to nearly black by late summer — distinctive among the three PNW Maianthemum species. The most drought-tolerant of the three PNW native Maianthemum species. Non-toxic.

Native Range

Native to moist open woodlands, forest edges, dry meadows, prairies, and shrubby slopes from Alaska south through British Columbia, Washington, Oregon to California, and east across most of North America.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a native woodland or meadow edge perennial at 12–18 inch (30–45 cm) spacing. The most versatile of the three PNW Maianthemum species — suitable for sun to shade and moist to dry conditions. The star-like flowers and distinctively striped berries provide notable ornamental interest. Combines with Festuca idahoensis, Elymus glaucus, and Lupinus latifolius in drier native meadow edge plantings, or with Polystichum munitum and Heuchera micrantha in shadier settings.

How to Identify

Identified by arching stems 8–24 inches (20–60 cm) tall with 5–12 alternate, narrowly lance-shaped, blue-green leaves 2–5 inches with parallel veins and sessile clasping bases. From April–June, simple (unbranched) erect racemes of 5–15 distinctly star-like white flowers 0.4–0.6 inch (10–15 mm) across with six narrow spreading petals are produced — stellatum means 'star-like.' The flowers are larger and more widely spaced than M. racemosum (feathery branched panicle of smaller flowers) and the raceme is simple (not branched) unlike M. racemosum. Berries are green with distinctive dark longitudinal stripes ripening to dark red-black — unique among PNW Maianthemum. The simple raceme of star-like flowers and striped berries are collectively diagnostic.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 2'
Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green
blue

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks
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Spring
Blooms April through June for 4–6 weeks, producing simple, erect racemes of 5–15 distinctly star-like white flowers 0.4–0.6 inch (10–15 mm) across — larger and more widely spaced than the flowers of M. racemosum. Lightly fragrant. Berries are green with distinctive dark longitudinal stripes from early summer, ripening to dark red-black by August–September — among the most ornamentally distinctive berries of the PNW native Maianthemum species.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white; distinctly star-like flowers 0.4–0.6 inch with 6 narrow spreading petals — stellatum means 'star-like'; SIMPLE (unbranched) erect raceme of 5–15 flowers; larger and more spaced than M. racemosum; April–June; berries green with dark longitudinal stripes → dark red-black; lightly fragrant

Foliage Description

blue-green to medium green; 5–12 alternate narrowly lance-shaped leaves 2–5 inches with parallel veins and sessile clasping bases; slightly zigzag arching stems

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 2-8 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsandrocky
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-drained to average, acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 5.0–7.5. The most drought-tolerant and sun-tolerant of the three PNW native Maianthemum species — tolerates dry summer conditions, open sunny meadow edges, and drier forest understory where M. dilatatum and M. racemosum perform less well. Spreads moderately by creeping rhizome. No fertilizer needed.

Pruning

No pruning required. Remove dead stems in late winter. Divide congested clumps in early spring if desired.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

very low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 2 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic