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