Maianthemum stellatum
star-flowered false Solomon's seal
Alaska south through BC, Washington, Oregon to California; east across most of North America; moist open woodlands, forest edges, dry meadows, prairies, and shrubby slopesLearn more
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
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 2'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
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 fragrantFoliage 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 stemsGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
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
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Maintenance Level
very lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons