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Species Details
Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium Read more about this collection »
LeavesSessile; clasping; lance-shaped; folded along midrib; hairy beneath; 3-12 cm long and 1-5 cm wide (Moss, 1983). Alternate; 6-12 in 2 rows; prominent veins; edges hairless (Johnson et al., 1995).
FlowersUnbranched elongated inflorescence; matures bottom upwards (raceme); raceme 1.5-5 cm long; sepals and petals white; 3-5 mm long; longer than stamens (Moss, 1983). 5-10 flowers in raceme; flowers star-shaped (Johnson et al., 1995).
Fruits and SeedsBerries; green; dark strips; turning black as mature (Moss, 1983).
Scientific Name
Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf.
Common Name
star-flowered solomon’s-seal (Moss, 1983); star-flowered false solomon’s-seal (Johnson et al., 1995).
General Description
A perennial herb that develops from a creeping rhizome to a height of 20-60 cm; the stem is slightly hairy, unbranched and bears white flowers (Moss, 1983; E-Flora BC).
Leaves
Sessile; clasping; lance-shaped; folded along midrib; hairy beneath; 3-12 cm long and 1-5 cm wide (Moss, 1983). Alternate; 6-12 in 2 rows; prominent veins; edges hairless (Johnson et al., 1995).
Flowers
Unbranched elongated inflorescence; matures bottom upwards (raceme); raceme 1.5-5 cm long; sepals and petals white; 3-5 mm long; longer than stamens (Moss, 1983). 5-10 flowers in raceme; flowers star-shaped (Johnson et…
Unbranched elongated inflorescence; matures bottom upwards (raceme); raceme 1.5-5 cm long; sepals and petals white; 3-5 mm long; longer than stamens (Moss, 1983). 5-10 flowers in raceme; flowers star-shaped (Johnson et al., 1995).
Fruits and Seeds
Berries; green; dark strips; turning black as mature (Moss, 1983).
Phenology
Mid to late spring (JSTOR).
Notes
2n=36 (Moss, 1983). Also called Maianthemum stellatum (E-Flora BC). The plant is often considered inedible; it is not poisonous but can be purgative (Johnson et al., 1995). The rhizomes have been cooked overnight in…
2n=36 (Moss, 1983). Also called Maianthemum stellatum (E-Flora BC). The plant is often considered inedible; it is not poisonous but can be purgative (Johnson et al., 1995). The rhizomes have been cooked overnight in lye and washed several times before being eaten; the rhizomes have also been pickled; young leaves and shoots can be used as a potherb or cooked (Johnson et al., 1995). The berries are bitter but high in vitamin C; eating too many of the berries can cause diarrhea; this side effect can be reduced by cooking the berries, which also improves the taste (Johnson et al., 1995).
Range/Distribution
Alberta: Predominantly southern half of the province (Canadensys). CAN (BC, MB, SK, ON, QC, YT, NT, NL, NS, NB, PE); USA (AK, WA, OR, CA, ID, MT, WY, UT, CO, AZ, NM, ND, SD, NE, NV, KS, OK, MN, WI, MI, IL, IA, MO, AR,…
Alberta: Predominantly southern half of the province (Canadensys). CAN (BC, MB, SK, ON, QC, YT, NT, NL, NS, NB, PE); USA (AK, WA, OR, CA, ID, MT, WY, UT, CO, AZ, NM, ND, SD, NE, NV, KS, OK, MN, WI, MI, IL, IA, MO, AR, IN, OH, KY, TN, VA, WV, MD, PA, NJ, NY, NH, MA, CT, ME, VT) (USDA).
Citation
Page Citation for Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf.
Page Citation
"Species Details - Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf., University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/1-3875/12-13425. Accessed 04 Jul. 2024.
Specimen Information
There are 201 specimens of this Species.
26702 - Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namestar-flowered solomon’s-seal (Moss, 1983); star-flowered false solomon’s-seal (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Ontario, Long Point
Date Collected1950-06-05
44554 - Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namestar-flowered solomon’s-seal (Moss, 1983); star-flowered false solomon’s-seal (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Ontario, Houghton Township
Date Collected1972-07-07
44428 - Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namestar-flowered solomon’s-seal (Moss, 1983); star-flowered false solomon’s-seal (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Ontario, Houghton Township
Date Collected1951-05-30
39492 - Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namestar-flowered solomon’s-seal (Moss, 1983); star-flowered false solomon’s-seal (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Manitoba, Pinawa
Date Collected1969-06-12
41800 - Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namestar-flowered solomon’s-seal (Moss, 1983); star-flowered false solomon’s-seal (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador, Avalon Peninsula, Witless Bay
Date Collected1968-07-02
24873 - Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namestar-flowered solomon’s-seal (Moss, 1983); star-flowered false solomon’s-seal (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, British Columbia, Clayhurst
Date Collected1968-05-18
73015 - Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namestar-flowered solomon’s-seal (Moss, 1983); star-flowered false solomon’s-seal (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Saskatchewan, Oxbow
Date Collected1958-05-31
73016 - Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namestar-flowered solomon’s-seal (Moss, 1983); star-flowered false solomon’s-seal (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Manitoba, Stony Mountain
Date Collected1958-05-23
82070 - Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namestar-flowered solomon’s-seal (Moss, 1983); star-flowered false solomon’s-seal (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Ontario, Brant County
Date Collected1975-05-21
82069 - Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namestar-flowered solomon’s-seal (Moss, 1983); star-flowered false solomon’s-seal (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Ontario, Brant County
Date Collected1975-05-21
83104 - Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namestar-flowered solomon’s-seal (Moss, 1983); star-flowered false solomon’s-seal (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Northwest Territories, Nahanni National Park, Prairie Creek
Date Collected1976-06-21
82878 - Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namestar-flowered solomon’s-seal (Moss, 1983); star-flowered false solomon’s-seal (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Yukon, Larsen Creek Hot Springs
Date Collected1977-07-20
88233 - Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namestar-flowered solomon’s-seal (Moss, 1983); star-flowered false solomon’s-seal (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, British Columbia, Cranberry Junction
Date Collected1981-06-04
36927 - Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namestar-flowered solomon’s-seal (Moss, 1983); star-flowered false solomon’s-seal (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Ontario, Ojibway
Date Collected1948-05-24
36926 - Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namestar-flowered solomon’s-seal (Moss, 1983); star-flowered false solomon’s-seal (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Ontario, Point Pelee National Park
Date Collected1948-05-16
5017 - Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namestar-flowered solomon’s-seal (Moss, 1983); star-flowered false solomon’s-seal (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: United States, Idaho, Latah County, Palouse Range
Date Collected1936-05-23
19807 - Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namestar-flowered solomon’s-seal (Moss, 1983); star-flowered false solomon’s-seal (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: United States, South Dakota, Codington County, Lake Kampeska
Date Collected1957-06-05
36327 - Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namestar-flowered solomon’s-seal (Moss, 1983); star-flowered false solomon’s-seal (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: United States, South Dakota, Spink County, Mellette
Date Collected1941-05-18
5016 - Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namestar-flowered solomon’s-seal (Moss, 1983); star-flowered false solomon’s-seal (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: United States, Washington, Snohomish County, Cascade Mountains
Date Collected1940-06-15
95622 - Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namestar-flowered solomon’s-seal (Moss, 1983); star-flowered false solomon’s-seal (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: United States, Wyoming, Sublette County, Green River Lakes
Date Collected1992-06-19
96418 - Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namestar-flowered solomon’s-seal (Moss, 1983); star-flowered false solomon’s-seal (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: United States, Utah, Washington County, Horse Pasture Plateau
Date Collected1989-05-20