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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/1-3875/12-4694. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Specimen Information

There are 201 specimens of this Species.

107 results plotted on map in 98 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

124652 - 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, Edmonton Date Collected1966-06-03

124653 - 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, Edmonton Date Collected1978-06-22

124654 - 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, Wagner Natural Area Date Collected1979-06-09

124655 - 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, Barrier Lake Date Collected1980-07-16

125487 - 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, Miquelon Lake Provincial Park Date Collected2008-06-16

126947 - 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, Stony Plain Date Collected2010-08-08

126948 - 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, Stony Plain Date Collected2010-08-15

127041 - 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, Kinsella Ranch Date Collected2010-06-05

44551 - 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

135858 - 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, Edmonton Date Collected2009-08-29

137446 - 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, Emma Lake Date Collected2013-07-01

140935 - 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, Lac La Biche Date Collected2016-06-06