Species Details
Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium Read more about this collection »
Leaves2-4 (usually 3) leaves; sessile; egg to lance-shaped; hairless; 4-10 cm long (Moss, 1983). Alternate (Johnson et al., 1995). No basal leaves; margins entire; 1-4 cm wide (E-Flora BC).
FlowersUnbranched elongated inflorescence; matures bottom upwards (raceme); flowers long stalks; axis zig-zag; 3-8 flowers; sepals and petals 3 mm long; 6 stamens (Moss, 1983). Raceme 2-5 cm long; terminal; white to greenish-white (E-Flora BC).
Fruits and SeedsDark red berries (Moss, 1983). 6 mm wide (Johnson et al., 1995). 1-2 seeds (E-Flora BC).
Scientific Name
Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf.
Common Name
three-leaved solomon’s-seal; three-leaved false solomon’s-seal
General Description
A slender perennial herb that develops from a branching rhizome to a height of 5-20 cm tall; bears white flowers (Moss, 1983).
Leaves
2-4 (usually 3) leaves; sessile; egg to lance-shaped; hairless; 4-10 cm long (Moss, 1983). Alternate (Johnson et al., 1995). No basal leaves; margins entire; 1-4 cm wide (E-Flora BC).
Flowers
Unbranched elongated inflorescence; matures bottom upwards (raceme); flowers long stalks; axis zig-zag; 3-8 flowers; sepals and petals 3 mm long; 6 stamens (Moss, 1983). Raceme 2-5 cm long; terminal; white to…
Unbranched elongated inflorescence; matures bottom upwards (raceme); flowers long stalks; axis zig-zag; 3-8 flowers; sepals and petals 3 mm long; 6 stamens (Moss, 1983). Raceme 2-5 cm long; terminal; white to greenish-white (E-Flora BC).
Fruits and Seeds
Dark red berries (Moss, 1983). 6 mm wide (Johnson et al., 1995). 1-2 seeds (E-Flora BC).
Phenology
May to September (JSTOR).
Notes
2n=36 (Moss, 1983). Also known as Maianthemum trifolium (E-Flora BC). The berries are not poisonous but the Chipewyans found them to be inedible (Johnson et al., 1995).
Similar species:
Smilacina stellata/Maianthemum…
2n=36 (Moss, 1983). Also known as Maianthemum trifolium (E-Flora BC). The berries are not poisonous but the Chipewyans found them to be inedible (Johnson et al., 1995).
Similar species:
Smilacina stellata/Maianthemum stellatum: star-flowered solomon’s-seal; has 6-12 leaves and grows in wetlands instead of upland habitats (Johnson et al., 1995).
Maianthemum canadense: wild lily of the valley; has 4-parted flowers and does not grow in bogs or fens (Johnson et al., 1995).
Range/Distribution
Alberta: Central and northern part of the province (Canadensys). CAN (BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NL, NS, NB, PE, YT, NT, NU); USA (MT, MN, WI, MI, OH, PA, NJ, NY, VT, MA, CT, RI, ME, NH) (USDA).
Citation
Page Citation for Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf.
Page Citation
"Species Details - Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf., University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/1-3876. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Specimen Information
There are 111 specimens of this Species.
76807 - Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namethree-leaved solomon’s-seal; three-leaved false solomon’s-seal
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Heatherdown Fen
Date Collected1976-06-21
96215 - Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namethree-leaved solomon’s-seal; three-leaved false solomon’s-seal
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Sheep River
Date Collected1961-06-15
23493 - Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namethree-leaved solomon’s-seal; three-leaved false solomon’s-seal
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Primrose Lake
Date Collected1967-06-21
5033 - Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namethree-leaved solomon’s-seal; three-leaved false solomon’s-seal
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Manitoba, Oxford Lake
Date Collected1949-07-03
5034 - Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namethree-leaved solomon’s-seal; three-leaved false solomon’s-seal
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Manitoba, Little Duck Lake
Date Collected1950-08-11
5027 - Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namethree-leaved solomon’s-seal; three-leaved false solomon’s-seal
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Ontario, Renfrew
Date Collected1913-05
88770 - Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namethree-leaved solomon’s-seal; three-leaved false solomon’s-seal
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Ontario, Experimental Lakes Area, Lake 661
Date Collected1982-07-09
88821 - Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namethree-leaved solomon’s-seal; three-leaved false solomon’s-seal
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Ontario, Experimental Lakes Area, Lake 239
Date Collected1982-07-10
41773 - Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namethree-leaved solomon’s-seal; three-leaved false solomon’s-seal
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Northwest Territories, Mackenzie River, Sans Sault Rapids
Date Collected1970-07-08
49451 - Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namethree-leaved solomon’s-seal; three-leaved false solomon’s-seal
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Quebec, Nominingue
Date Collected1932-07-04
53231 - Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namethree-leaved solomon’s-seal; three-leaved false solomon’s-seal
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Northwest Territories, Heart Lake
Date Collected1972-08-17
44312 - Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namethree-leaved solomon’s-seal; three-leaved false solomon’s-seal
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Ontario, Bethany
Date Collected1972-05-26
78032 - Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namethree-leaved solomon’s-seal; three-leaved false solomon’s-seal
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Northwest Territories, Chick Lake
Date Collected1973-07-22
78042 - Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namethree-leaved solomon’s-seal; three-leaved false solomon’s-seal
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Northwest Territories, Chick Lake
Date Collected1974-08-24
77529 - Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namethree-leaved solomon’s-seal; three-leaved false solomon’s-seal
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Northwest Territories, Mackenzie River
Date Collected1973-07-21
77528 - Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namethree-leaved solomon’s-seal; three-leaved false solomon’s-seal
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Northwest Territories, Mackenzie River
Date Collected1971-08-13
77527 - Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namethree-leaved solomon’s-seal; three-leaved false solomon’s-seal
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Northwest Territories, Mackenzie River
Date Collected1972-06-20
47775 - Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namethree-leaved solomon’s-seal; three-leaved false solomon’s-seal
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador, Come By Chance
Date Collected19??-06-28
26765 - Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namethree-leaved solomon’s-seal; three-leaved false solomon’s-seal
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Ontario, Lake Huron, Manitoulin Island, South Baymouth
Date Collected1959-06-09
104301 - Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namethree-leaved solomon’s-seal; three-leaved false solomon’s-seal
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Fort McMurray
Date Collected1975-08-21
46667 - Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namethree-leaved solomon’s-seal; three-leaved false solomon’s-seal
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1973-06-27