Another spring wildflower that most of us will recognize in the photograph is the Canada mayflower or false Solomons-seal, Maianthemum canadense.
Growing with it, we see the May-flowering scums or blue-bells, with which it makes a pleasing combination.
The true Solomons-seal, Polygonatum biflorum, has a gracefully curved stem two to four feet high.
The greenish bell-shaped flowers are rather inconspicuous and bang from the mils of the leaves along the stem.
Berries Attract The Birds
There are other so-called false Salmons-seals to notice. One of them, the wild spikenard, often found growing near the true species, is about the same height.
The stem, however, is crowned by a white plume, and its berries are red, while those of the Solomons seal is black and blue.
Both are speedily devoured by the birds as soon as they are ripe.
Beside the Solomons-seal of our native woodland is the Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua, which grows to 8’ feet high.
There are also Polygonatum latifolium and Polygonatum multiflorum, old-world plants.
I am sure we have seen clumps of tall varieties growing in a shady corner near an old farmhouse or an old-fashioned garden. They are very decorative and have lived for years.
They Take Over Like an Army
Perhaps my favorite among these interesting plants is the little false Solomonsseal.
Only a few inches high, it comes marching into a pine grove, taking possession and making us think of a tiny army with banners.
Baskets Of This Little Flower
Some of us as children remember when the older generation gathered baskets of this little flower for Memorial Day.
After being gathered in the woods, they were put in water and then woven into balls to decorate the graves.
What a labor of love it was and a slaughter among the poor little flowers, which were pulled up root and all.
44659 by Ruth D. Grew