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Starry Solomon's Plume

Maianthemum stellatum

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Category
Forb / Wildflower
Sun
Full to Shade
Soil moisture
Medium-Wet to Dry
Bloom time
Apr–Jun
Bloom color
White
Notes
Rhizomatous

About Starry Solomon's Plume

Starry Solomon's Plume is a delicate and charming woodland perennial that excels at naturalizing in shaded or partially sunny sites. Growing 1 to 2 feet tall, it features arching stems and narrow, lance-shaped leaves that are slightly smaller and more refined than those of its larger relative. In early spring, it produces small, star-shaped white flowers in dainty clusters at the tips of its stems, providing an early nectar source for native bees. These blossoms are followed by attractive berries that turn from green-striped to a deep, solid red or black, much to the delight of local birds. Native to a wide range of habitats including woodlands, prairies, and dunes, it is remarkably adaptable to various soil moistures and light levels. It spreads gently via rhizomes to form a lush, attractive groundcover that can help suppress weeds in the garden. Its ability to thrive in both moist and dry-shade conditions makes it an invaluable tool for gardeners looking to add texture and life to the forest floor.

Native range

Native to 41 states:

AlaskaArkansasArizonaCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutD.C.IowaIdahoIllinoisIndianaKansasKentuckyMassachusettsMarylandMaineMichiganMinnesotaMissouriMontanaNorth DakotaNebraskaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNevadaNew YorkOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth DakotaTennesseeUtahVirginiaVermontWashingtonWisconsinWest VirginiaWyoming

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Maianthemum stellatum

Range map courtesy of BONAP (Biota of North America Program).

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