Shady Soloman's Seal

All versions of Soloman's Seal will grow in this area and identities can be somewhat confusing!

  

Star Flowered False Soloman's Seal is a very common wild flower in our area.  It is called false because it resembles another plant named Soloman's Seal, true Soloman's Seal.  Star Flowered False Soloman's Seal will grow in shady but fairly arid conditions.  It is a small (10 - 20cm tall)plant.  Although a native to the area and considered 'wild' it grows well in those difficult dry shady spaces in cultivated gardens.

Another, but much larger plant which resembles Soloman's Seal is called simply , False Soloman's Seal and grows in much wetter shady conditions than Star Flowered Soloman's Seal.

Both forms of False Soloman's Seal go by the botanical handle of Smilacena racemosa.

Soloman's Seal (true Soloman's Seal) is not native to our area but is grown as a garden plant and it likes moist shady locations.  It has the botanical name of Polygonatum and there are many varieties.  This plant although similar in appearance is not related to the False Soloman's Seals.

Both the similarities and differences become obvious in these photos.

Soloman's Seal, grown locally and  used in a flower display by Judy Walker

Star Flowered Soloman's Seal, found all around in our local forests

False Soloman's Seal found in damp forests, 

False Soloman's Seal

False Soloman's Seal