False Solomon’s Seal – An Amazing Woodland Wildflower

What is False Solomon’s Seal

False Solomon’s Seal is a herbaceous perennial wildflower native to Eastern North America. Scientifically known as Maianthemum racemosa, it grows up to 2-1/2′ tall in partial shade or full sun, blooming white flowers in late Spring to early summer for approximately 3 weeks, attracting attracting bees, flies, and beetles.

When walking through a mature forest, the foliage of False Solomon’s Seal is one of the plants that give it a magical feeling. The arching plants with large prominent leaves give off a beautiful green hue that contrasts with the shadows from the forest canopy. It can give one the feeling of walking in a tropical forest rather than a deciduous forest of the far North.[1][2][3]

The survival and flourishing of this plant face several challenges. The foliage is heavily favored by deer [4], the roots may be dependent on the presence of special fungi in the soil [5], and it’s growth and propagation can be negatively impacted by invasive species such as Bush Honeysuckle and Garlic Mustard[6].

The difference between False Solomon’s Seal and Solomon’s Seal

False Solomon’s Seal will have blooms terminating at the end of the stalk, and the flowers are in small clusters. Solomon’s Seal will have it’s flowers hang down from the stalk, like small bells.

What are the Benefits of False Solomon’s Seal

Grows well in the woods

For those with wooded lots, False Solomon’s Seal is a flower you can grow. The lack of sunlight often means that it is difficult to get blooming perennials to grow. But, the truth is you just need to select the right flowers, and False Solomon’s Seal is a true woodland wildflower.

Blooms after Spring ephemerals

False Solomon’s Seal will begin blooming after early Spring ephemerals have finished. So, even if we get some amazing color from Trillums, Spring Beauty, Bloodroot, or Virginia Bluebells, we don’t have to accept a non-flowering woods! False Solomon’s Seal will produce flowers after these, adding more interest and color to the forest.

Adaptable

False Solomon’s Seal preference is to grow in dappled sunlight or partial sun, but this preference allows it to tolerate a variety of moisture conditions. This means you may encounter it growing near water as well as on a dry southern slope.

Interesting foliage

The leaves of False Solomon’s Seal are reminiscent of an ornate houseplant rather than a regular woodland plant. A large population of these plants look great even when not in bloom.

Grow and Care for False Solomon’s Seal

Sunlight Requirements

For sunlight requirements, False Solomon’s Seal will grow best in the dappled sun of a deciduous forest. It doesn’t like full sun or full shade.

Soil Requirements

For soil, it will do best in anything rich in organic matter. So, this means more mature forests with many years of leaf-litter build up. Texture isn’t as important as long as the organic matter is present and it drains well.

Moisture Requirements

The partial shade allows False Solomon’s Seal to grow well in moist soil or drier slopes. I’ve found it growing amongst the boulders of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Pennsylvania where drainage is high, and a short distance away growing near a spring/creek.

Maintenance

False Solomon’s Seal can spread via seed and rhizome root. So, given enough time you may wind up with a population more than you want. If this occurs, simply dig out the plants you don’t want.

Even with this spreading nature, this plant shouldn’t be considered aggressive or invasive.

Fertilizer

False Solomon’s Seal should not require supplemental fertilizer. It should be able to derive all that it needs from photosynthesis and organic matter in the forest soil.

How to Grow False Solomon’s Seal from Seed

False Solomon’s Seal is one of the more difficult plants to grow from seed.[7] Researchers have even come up short in controlled environments. This makes one wonder if germination requires the presence of various fungi or microbes.

The berries this plant eventually produces will contain a few seeds per berry. And these seeds must be kept moist from when they are collected until they are planted. And, they will need a double dormancy, similar to Wild Leeks (Ramps) or many Virburnums.

Direct Sow

But to grow False Solomon’s Seal from seed, you have some options. You could direct sow False Solomon’s Seal seed in a location that is suitable for it (partial shade, medium moist, high organic matter) that doesn’t have too much competition. If you do this, know that you will not see seedlings for two years.

Outdoor stratification

Secondly, you can collect fresh seed, and Winter Sow it in late summer, leaving the container out of direct sunlight to help it stay moist. Then, when winter sets in, over-winter it in an unheated garage or shed. Then in Spring, check for a radical sprouting from the seed, or leave the container in the shade (although algae may become a problem). Then, over Winter it again in an unheated garage or shed. Finally getting germination in the second Spring.

Indoor stratifications

And finally, you can simulate the stratification periods by placing the fresh seed in a moist towel or medium in a sealed container, and keeping it in a warm location for a couple months, then cold for a couple months, then repeating the process. Finally, planting outside in Spring, hopefully resulting in germination. A major risk doing this method is mold developing on the seed. This isn’t a ‘dealbreaker’, and the seed may still germinate. It depends on how much mold has formed and how much it has damaged the seed coat.

Identification and Characteristics of False Solomon’s Seal

Stalk

The central stem of False Solomon’s Seal will rise, then arch laterally rather than stand tall. It is round, light green and have sparse hairs.

Leaf

Leaves of False Solomon’s Seal are alternate along the stalk, and quite large at 6″ long by 3″ wide (15 cm x 7.5 cm). They are ovate in shape, green, with parallel veins and smooth margins.[2]

Flower

At the end of the stem, a panicle (cluster) of flowers will occur that is roughly 4″ long by roughly 2″ wide (10 cm x 5 cm). Individual flowers will be roughly 1/8″ diameter (3 mm). There will be no petals, but small white tepals and stamens (about six each). The anthers on the stamen will be a cream color, while all other parts are white.[2]

It will bloom for roughly 3 weeks from late Spring to early Summer. Each flower will eventually turn into an edible berry with several seeds. The berries can be red, purple, or striped.

Root

The root system of False Solomon’s Seal is fibrous roots and rhizomes. Generally the roots are shallow, in the top 1-2″ (2-5 cm) of soil, and lack fine hairs.[root] This has led some researchers to conclude that False Solomon’s Seal is dependent on other fungi (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) in the soil for survival.[5] The plant will be clump forming from the rhizomes if the soil is loose/organic with lots of hummus.

Uses of False Solomon’s Seal

Garden Uses

False Solomon’s Seal is a natural choice for a wooded lot, a partial shade garden, or the border of a forest. Although you will have more success if your soil is rich and has lots of hummus. Compacted (former turf) may support this plant, but it you will probably have to heavily amend with compost.

Companion Plants

False Solomon’s Seal will grow well near many other woodland wildflowers, or flowers that need good drainage but lots of organic matter. Some examples would be the following:

• Solomon’s Seal (they often grow together!)
• Dutchman’s Breeches
• Jack in the Pulpit
• Rue Anemone
• Spring Beauty
• Trillium
• Violets
• Virginia Bluebells
• Wild Geranium
• Wild Ginger

Edible uses of False Solomon’s Seal

Young shoots may be cooked and eaten similarly to Asparagus. However, when foraged in this manner it may kill the plant, and thus I don’t recommend it. The berries may also be eaten raw or cooked, but seeds should be removed. Note that berries may be used as a laxative – so eat it sparingly!

Medicinal Uses

There are 78 documented Native American uses of False Solomon’s Seal by twenty different Tribes.[3][10] Some of the uses include the following;

• Decotion (tea) made from leaves used as a contraceptive, cough, stop bleeding, rashes, and itch
• Fruits were eaten for food by Native Americans
• A decoction of root (with other ingredients) was taken for back pain
• Compound of root was taken for ‘female weakness’
• Infusion of roots could be pounded for eye medicine
• Poultice of leaves could be made for sores, boils, or burns