Description
A lover of shady woodlands and forests, large false Soloman’s seal is a perennial wildflower in the family Ruscaceae. Sometimes called Soloman’s plume because of its feathery, creamy white, plume-like panicle of flowers, false Soloman’s seal blooms in late spring. The flowers produce green fruit that turn to red or mottled or marbled red, and then solid red in late summer. False soloman’s seal grows throughout most of the U.S. and Canada, making it a common, well-known, and adored plant. It spreads by seed or by spreading rhizomes in the deep, moist soils it prefers, either individually, or as clumps, and sometimes even large colonies. Arching stems grow 2′-3′ tall with alternate, oblong-lance-shaped leaves. Prefers average, medium, well-drained soil in part-shade. The genus Maianthemum is a combination of Greek and Latin words meaning “may flowering.” False Soloman’s seal flowers are visited by bees, butterflies, beetles, and other pollinating insects.
Large false Soloman’s seal (Maianthemum racemosum) seed packets contain approximately 25 seeds.
Seed Germination Instructions
Seed may take two years to germinate. Sow outside in fall. Will benefit from 6 months cold-moist stratification, followed by 4 months warm-moist stratification, followed by another 5 months cold-moist stratification.
