Seasonal Wild Flowers

False Spikenard

Maianthemum racemosum

Asparagaceae

American Spikenard, False Solomon's Seal, Smilacina

racemosa

April and May

It is a naturalised escape in a few places

See the BSBI distribution map for False Spikenard

It is planted in gardens and found in relic gardens and

woodland.

It is a persistent weed in the US, often escaping from

'wildflower' seeding.

False Spikenard is a rhizomatous, perennial herb

growing up to 50cm.

The flowers are in spikes and white, except for the

anthers, which are cream.

Leaves are up to 15cm long, dark green, alternate

and sessile.

False Spikenard in a relic wood, Lancaster

Flower spikes

Close up of flower spike

Ovoid stamens