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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/1-3875/12-4673. Accessed 02 Jul. 2024.
Specimen Information
There are 201 specimens of this Species.
36915 - 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, Alberta, Calgary
Date Collected1943-08-30
72420 - 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, Alberta, RB Miller Biological Station
Date Collected1966-06-02
57500 - 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, Alberta, Gooseberry Lake
Date Collected1970-08-17
45657 - 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, Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park, Dardanelles
Date Collected1970-06-10
28267 - 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, Alberta, Mildred Lake
Date Collected1969-06-11
101382 - 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, Alberta, Red Deer River
Date Collected1982-07-01
101383 - 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, Alberta, Baptiste River
Date Collected1982-06-20
39510 - 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, Peerless
Date Collected1971-06-27
30708 - 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, Heart Lake
Date Collected1970-08-29
5010 - 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, Brintnell Creek
Date Collected1939-07-21
5013 - 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, Hayes River
Date Collected1949-07-17
5015 - 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, Duck Mountain
Date Collected1950-07-03
26766 - 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, Lake Huron, Manitoulin Island, South Baymouth
Date Collected1959-06-06
36928 - 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, Glen Elgin
Date Collected1896-05-06
36923 - 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, Alberta, Calgary
Date Collected1927-09-19
36914 - 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, Alberta, Calgary
Date Collected1940-08-03
36916 - 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, Alberta, Calgary
Date Collected1945-06-19
36917 - 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, Alberta, Calgary
Date Collected1945-08-04
5014 - 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, Warren Landing
Date Collected1948-08-03
49413 - 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, Burnt Lands
Date Collected1941-06-06
49412 - 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, Quebec, St. Augustin
Date Collected1969-06-09