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Solomon Zigzag. Smilacina racemosa. 



False Spikenard. 



Found in June, in moist woods and brookside copses. 



The leafy stalk (from 1 to 2 feet high) is oblique and zigzag in 

 gesture ; it has a strong fibre, and a smooth surface, and is light green. 



The leaf is oval — long in proportion to its width, — tapering to a 

 slender tip, with an entire and much ruffled margin, and 3 noticeable 

 ribs ; the surface is finely downy ; the color a strong, vigorous green. 

 The leaves have almost no stem at all, and are placed alternately along 

 the stalk. 



The flower is small, with 6 petal-like parts and 6 stamens, all 

 greenish white. Many flowers are gathered in a.branching cluster upon 

 the end of the leafy curving stalk. 



The berries are pale red, speckled with dark. Gray's Mcmual 

 in speaking of this genus says its name is a diminution of Smilax, " to 

 which, however, these plants bear little resemblance." For a similar 

 reason, perhaps, this plant is called " false " after the true Spikenard ! 



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