In search of a family

Maianthemum racemosum, June 6, 2023

June 14, 2023

Common & scientific name

Large false Solomon’s seal, Maianthemum racemosum

Family

??? (see below)

Location

Difficult Campground, 8,100’

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact

Loves aspen groves above all, less delicate in its flower than its close relative, Maianthemum stellatum, False Solomon’s seal, and searching for a loving home. Different authorities place it in no less than four families or subfamilies: (1) Liliaceae, Lily, (2) Convallariaceae, Mayflower, (3) Asparagaceae, Asparagus, and (4) Ruscaceae, Butcher’s Broom. Confused yet? Give it ten years and the experts will land on one!

In fruit, September 26, 2023