Smilacina stellata – Star-flowered Lily-of-the-valley – Starflower – False Solomon’s Seal –

Description

Smilacina – False Solomon’s Seal – There are 25 mainly rhizomatous perennials, in this genus. They naturally occur in woodlands in Asia, and North and Cental America. Similar to Solomon Seal (Polygonatum), they have unbranched, often arching stems with alternate, ovate-lance shaped, stalkless or short stalked leaves, and bear terminal racemes or panicles of star shaped, short stalked, scented, creamy white flowers in early summer. Flowers are followed by green berries, usually ripening to red. Excellent in a woodland garden or shaded border. Grow in moderately fertile, humus rich, neutral to acidic, moist but well drained soil in light, dappled shade or deep shade. Divide in spring Prone to rust, and a variety of leaf spots. S. stellata – Star-flowered Lily-of-the-valley – Starflower – This clump forming, rhizomatous perennial from North America and Mexico grows 8-24″ tall and 24″ wide. From downy stems it carries stalkless, lance shaped, pointed, glaucous, mid green leaves, to 6″ long, softly hairy beneath. In summer, bears crowded terminal racemes of 6-20 white or white-green flowers, 1/4″ across. Flowers are followed by blue-black striped, green, later dark red or dark blue berries. Zones 2-7