STAR SOLOMONPLUME 



Vagnera stellata (Linnaeus) Morong 



Star solomonplume loves moist rich woods. In its habit of growth 

 and in the appearance of the flowers it recalls vaguely the lily-of-the- 

 valley. By their rootstocks the plants spread widely, forming extensive 

 patches in the woodlands. The rootstocks show no trace of the seal- 

 like scars so characteristic of the solomonseals. The plant is graceful 

 in form, and beautiful when in either flower or fruit. It belongs to the 

 Lily-of-the-valley Family, which includes asparagus, lily-of-the-valley, 

 and merrybells. The fruit is a small globular berry, at first green, with 

 three dark vertical stripes, but turning black when quite ripe. Some 

 botanists use the name Smilacina stellata for this plant. 



Star solomonplume ranges from Virginia to New Mexico and 

 California, and northward to Newfoundland and Alaska. It grows also 

 in northern Europe. 



The specimen sketched was obtained at Lake Minnewonka, near 

 Banff, Alberta, Canada, at an altitude of 4,500 feet. 



PLATE l66 



