Wild Spikenard (Smilacina racemosa ) is quite an 
imposing plant, with its long, curving, zigzag stem, its 
many light green deeply ribbed leaves and its feathery 
terminal flower clusters. 
The white flowers are tiny but perfect, with a 6- 
parted perianth, six slender stamens and a short, thick 
style. The stem is rather angular and attains a length 
of from 1 to 3 feet; alternating along it are the large, 
oval, sharply pointed leaves, with parallel ribs and 
wavy edge. The perennial rootstalk is thick and fleshy. 
Spikenard is quite abundant in mos£ rich, uncleared 
ground, flowering in May and June, from Me. to Minn, 
southwards. 
False Solomon’s Seal (Smilacina stellata) bears 
some resemblance to the last species, but the flowers are 
much larger and few in number, usually only six or 
eight terminating the zigzag stem. The leaves are 
broader at the bases and slightly clasp the stem, where¬ 
as those of the last species have very short stems. It 
grows commonly, but not as much so as the l&st, on 
moist banks and in meadows, from Me. to Minn, and 
southwards. 
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