False Solomon’s Seal

 

Maianthemum racemosum, Large False Solomon’s Seal, is a common native forest wildflower from Mexico north through most of the United States and Canada. Other names for this lily incliude Treacleberry, Feathery False Lily of the Valley, and Solomon's plume. Erika and I encountered this plant on 1 May 2020 at the edge of Kennedy Flats in Mason County west of Olympia.

The species is often cultivated in gardens. Young, boiled shoots are said by Wikipedia to be edible. Older plants are fibrous, bitter, and have “strong laxitive qualities.” Wikipedia further warns that young plants are difficult to distinguish from other, toxic plants. False Solomon seal, however, is easily told from various species of Solomon’s seal, Polygonatum sp., which have flowers growing along the stem under the upper leaves.