# Solomon's plume (*Maianthemum racemosum*) Solomon's plume is a lovely plant with tall, leafy stems and clusters of tiny white flowers. It grows in shady places and is a great addition to gardens and forests. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 113 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Solomon's plume](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Maianthemum_racemosum_4930.JPG&width=800) Photo: Walter Siegmund (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maianthemum_racemosum_4930.JPG) ## Appearance The Solomon's plume has gracefully arching stems adorned with broad, oval leaves. Its tip culminates in a feathery cluster of tiny, creamy-white flowers, which mature into bright red berries. This plant stands out from true Solomon's Seal with its terminal flower plume. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Liliopsida - **Order:** Asparagales - **Family:** Asparagaceae - **Genus:** Maianthemum ## Interesting facts - Its common name comes from unique scars on its rootstock that resemble ancient seals! - Native Americans used the roots to make healing poultices and even a nutritious soup. - Surprisingly, Solomon's plume is a relative of asparagus and lilies, despite its woodland looks! - The nodding cluster of flowers really does look like a delicate feather plume swaying in the breeze! ## Special abilities - **Seed Spreader:** Its bright red berries attract birds, which eat them and help spread Solomon's plume seeds far and wide. - **Shadow Seeker:** Solomon's plume can thrive in deep shade, using dappled light to grow where other plants struggle. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 30-90 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.3-0.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to early summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — eats the bright red berries, helping disperse seeds - **Pollinates:** [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) — visits the creamy-white flowers for nectar and pollen - **Eaten by:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — browses on the foliage and young shoots ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't touch plants unless you know they are safe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Solomon's plume? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Solomon's plume? 30-90 cm ### How wide does Solomon's plume spread? 30-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on Solomon's plume? 0.3-0.5 cm ### When does Solomon's plume bloom? Late spring to early summer ### Is Solomon's plume edible? Yes ### Is Solomon's plume toxic? Mild ### What is Solomon's plume's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Albany Pine Bush](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/albany-pine-bush) — New York, US · Nature Reserve - [Awbury Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/awbury-arboretum) — Pennsylvania, US · Botanical Garden - [Bartholomew's Cobble](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bartholomews-cobble) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Belltown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/belltown-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Benbow Lake State Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/benbow-lake-state-recreation-area) — California, US · State Park - [Berkshire Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/berkshire-botanical-garden) — Massachusetts, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Solomon's plume](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/solomons-plume) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Solomon's plume: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/solomons-plume)