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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-test.museums.ualberta.ca/g/1-3875/12-4626. Accessed 02 Oct. 2025.
Specimen Information
There are 201 specimens of this Species.
38863 - 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, Crimson Lake Provincial Park, Crimson Lake
Date Collected1968-06-09
28808 - 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, Blackstone River
Date Collected1968-06-13
99100 - 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, Devonian Botanic Gardens
Date Collected1993-07-08
40749 - 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, Embarras River
Date Collected1971-07-07
28556 - 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, Rocky Mountain Foothills
Date Collected1968-06-12
94231 - 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
Date Collected1987-06-20
54827 - 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, Red Deer
Date Collected1970-06-03
55343 - 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, Athabasca
Date Collected1971-05-26
25283 - 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, Jasper National Park, Celestine Lake
Date Collected1968-08-11
5008 - 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, Briereville
Date Collected1953-07-03
5011 - 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, Waterways
Date Collected1939-05-31
23432 - 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, Kitscoty
Date Collected1967-06-19
23412 - 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, Cold Lake, French Bay
Date Collected1967-06-20
27856 - 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, La Biche River
Date Collected1968-06-20
28188 - 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, Jasper National Park, Athabasca River
Date Collected1968-07-26
42109 - 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, Pinehurst Lake
Date Collected1968-07-23
21952 - 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 Sainte Anne
Date Collected1967-06-08
26258 - 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, Beaverhill Lake
Date Collected1968-05-27
26287 - 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 Lakes
Date Collected1968-06-03
46390 - 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, Innisfree
Date Collected1972-07-12
44959 - 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, Red Deer River
Date Collected1973-05-26