Maianthemum racemosum subsp. amplexicaule
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Family: Ruscaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Maianthemum racemosum subsp. amplexicaule is a native California herb in the Ruscaceae family, recognized by (geographically isolated); distinguished by paniculate inflorescence with >20 tiny flowers.
False Solomon's seal is a California native perennial found in moist, open woodlands and along streambanks at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces white flowers in delicate panicles with more than 20 small blossoms. Growing with stems 30 to 90 centimeters tall that are glabrous or finely hairy, it spreads through a rhizome 5 to 10 millimeters in diameter. Its leaves are ovate to oblong-elliptic, growing 7 to 20 centimeters long with smooth or slightly hairy undersides. The fruit is a distinctive red berry 5 to 7 millimeters long, speckled with purple and containing brown seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species (geographically isolated); distinguished by paniculate inflorescence with >20 tiny flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist, open woodland, streambanks
Elevation: < 2000 m
Outside California: western North America
Bloom period
Maianthemum racemosum subsp. amplexicaule blooms Mar-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Prosartes: Maianthemum has terminal flower clusters; Prosartes has flowers dangling from leaf axils beneath foliage.; vs Polygonatum: Maianthemum flowers in upright terminal clusters; Polygonatum flowers dangle below arching stems from leaf axils.; vs Epipactis: Maianthemum has simple star-shaped flowers; Epipactis has distinctive orchid flowers with lip and hood.; vs Veratrum: Maianthemum stays knee-high with tiny flowers; Veratrum towers overhead with large pleated leaves.; vs Streptopus: Maianthemum flowers in terminal clusters; Streptopus flowers hang singly from bent stalks beneath leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Maianthemum racemosum subsp. amplexicaule native to California?
Yes. Maianthemum racemosum subsp. amplexicaule is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Maianthemum racemosum subsp. amplexicaule bloom?
Maianthemum racemosum subsp. amplexicaule blooms Mar-Jul.
What plant family does Maianthemum racemosum subsp. amplexicaule belong to?
Maianthemum racemosum subsp. amplexicaule is in the Ruscaceae family, genus Maianthemum.
What habitat does Maianthemum racemosum subsp. amplexicaule grow in?
Maianthemum racemosum subsp. amplexicaule grows in Moist, open woodland, streambanks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.