Maianthemum racemosum (L.) Link ssp. racemosum
False Solomon’s seal, treacleberry, Solomon’s plume, false spikenard, feathery false lily of the valley
False Solomon’s seal is a native of North America. The term “false” is because of its resemblance to Solomon's seal.
Plants: Grows to a height of 1–3′ (30–91 cm), typically oriented mostly sideways, presumably to capture more sunlight
Leaves: Alternate, oval, pointed on each end, with parallel veins, about 2½–6″ (7–15 cm) long and 1–2″ (3–6 cm) wide.
Flowers: At the end of arching stems, creamy white, fragrant, in feathery groups 2–4″ (5–10 cm) long, each about ⅛″ (3.2 mm) in diameter. Flowers appear from April to May.
Fruits: Berries are bronze spotted with red at first, later becoming blackish red
Habitats: Forests, and river or stream floodplains.
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Similar species. |
Online References:
5/5/2016 · Wildflower Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire 
ID is uncertain 
8/12/2023 · Highlands Trail via Pismire Bluffs Trail, Raymond Community Forest, Raymond, Maine · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm) 
6/4/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Massachusetts · ≈ 17 × 12″ (43 × 29 cm) 
9/12/2013 · Andres Institute of Art, Big Bear Mountain, Brookline, New Hampshire · ≈ 6 × 6″ (15 × 15 cm) 
7/27/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 1 × 1′ (40 × 31 cm) 
5/11/2010 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm) 
6/13/2025 · River Point Conservation Area, Falmouth, Maine 
5/28/2016 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, 
6/2/2008 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 6″ (19 × 16 cm) 
6/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 3″ (12 × 8.4 cm) 
5/17/2016 · Worcester Road Trails, Beaver Br, Hollis, New Hampshire 
8/18/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 13 × 9″ (32 × 24 cm) ID is uncertain 
5/30/2014 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 11 × 7″ (28 × 18 cm) 
8/6/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 5″ (17 × 13 cm) 
8/6/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 7″ (15 × 19 cm) 
9/18/2013 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 6 × 6″ (14 × 15 cm) 
7/28/2017 · Porcupine Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 4 × 5″ (10 × 12 cm) 
6/4/2021 · Robert P. Tristram Coffin Wild Flower Reservation, Woolwich, Maine · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm) 
7/26/2025 · River Point Conservation Area, Falmouth, Maine · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm) 
9/18/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 5″ (18 × 12 cm) 
5/21/2013 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 8 × 7″ (20 × 18 cm) 
8/14/2021 · Maquoit Bay Conservation Area, Brunswick, Maine · ≈ 3½ × 5″ (9 × 13 cm) 
8/19/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 10″ (20 × 26 cm) 
6/23/2013 · Rocky Ridge Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 6 × 4½″ (14 × 11 cm) 
7/25/2013 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 6 × 8″ (14 × 20 cm) 
6/1/2013 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 6 × 9″ (16 × 23 cm) 
8/21/2018 · Oak Hill, Littleton, Massachusetts · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 14 cm) 
6/18/2012 · Vaughn Woods, South Berwick, Maine · ≈ 9 × 7″ (23 × 18 cm) 
9/13/2015 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 7 × 9″ (16 × 22 cm) 
8/14/2015 · Roost Trail, Grafton Notch State Park, Newry, Maine · ≈ 6 × 8″ (16 × 20 cm) 
7/21/2014 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 8 × 6″ (19 × 16 cm) 
5/25/2023 · Maquoit Bay Conservation Land, Brunswick, Maine 
10/7/2012 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm) 
9/20/2015 · Big Tree Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 6 × 9″ (15 × 22 cm) 
9/7/2020 · Maquoit Bay Conservation Area, Brunswick, Maine · ≈ 5 × 7″ (13 × 16 cm) 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta | Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients |
| Division | Magnoliophyta | Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms |
| Class | Liliopsida | Monocots (plants with a single seed leaf); includes the lily family |
| Subclass | Liliidae | Includes lilies, orchids, and many others |
| Order | Asparagales | A diverse group that includes asparagus |
| Family | Asparagaceae | Agaves, asparagus, hyacinths, and others |
| Genus | Maianthemum | From Greek for “May flower,” for the blooming season |
| Species | racemosum | With flowers in racemes |
| ssp. | racemosum | With flowers in racemes |
Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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