False No More: Western Solomon’s Plume
Spring and summer in the Bridge Lake area can be measured by the appearance of many native wildflowers and plants that add depth to the landscape. Finally free from the name implying it was a false version of another plant, one of these local beauties can be admired for just being itself, and it is false no more: Western Solomon’s Plume.
By Ann Simpson-Stamos
After what seems like an interminably long winter here in the South Cariboo, and once our spring is fully engaged, there appears in the more dimly lit parts of the aspen forests a beautiful and intriguing (to me) native wildflower – the Western Solomon’s Plume.
A more common name for this plant has always been False Solomon’s Seal (Maianthemum racemosum), though that name typically has referred to the broader species that is found throughout the sub-alpine areas of North America. In fact, there are two distinct sub-species populating the western and eastern regions of the continent – Eastern Solomon’s Plume (Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum) and the one I find here, Western Solomon’s Plume (Maianthemum racemosum ssp. ampexicaule).
Measuring about 50 to 90 centimetres, the Western Solomon’s Plume is sizeable, and each of its leaves often measure 15 cm in length with a width almost half as broad as it is long. It prefers well shaded areas and adds a very real lushness to the forest undergrowth wherever it appears.
The green leaves are starkly contrasted with the large panicle of numerous small white flowers (“tepals”) that are attached to several well-formed branches. The flowers will eventually fade by early summer and will be replaced by rounded, mottled fruits that later change to a striking bright red colour around late summer.
When fresh, the roots and greens are considered edible, though these are not considered to be particularly tasty. The poisonous Green False Hellebore (Veratrum viride) can resemble Western Solomon’s Plume, especially when young, and caution needs to be exercised in order to ensure that the plant is correctly identified. The berries that appear later are also edible, but can have the unpleasant effect of a laxative. I recommend following the advice of our birds and bears, and giving these a hard pass.
There is a detectable scent to the Western Solomon’s Plume that becomes stronger during very warm weather. The scent attracts a great number of insects, from flower beetles to flies, and strangely, mosquitoes can also be frequently found clinging to the flowers. Spiders will often populate this plant as it makes for a very profitable hunting ground.
For myself, the Western Solomon’s Plume is always one of the more interesting and photogenic residents of this area, and whether it is for the insects that visit it, or even just for the beauty of the plant, I cannot wait for its annual appearance during my hikes with a camera.
There’s definitely nothing false about the Western Solomon’s Plume. No forest around here seems complete without it, and in every way, it is the real deal.
“The opposite of a fact is falsehood, but the opposite of one profound truth may very well be another profound truth.”
– Neils Bohr
(Publisher’s note: All photos courtesy of the author.)
“False No More: Western Solomon’s Plume” ©2025. Ann Simpson-Stamos and The Renaissance Garden Guy
Ann Simpson-Stamos is a mycologist, writer, and regular contributor to (and co-publisher of) The Renaissance Garden Guy. She resides in Bridge Lake, British Columbia, where she writes and remains in constant pursuit of her mysterious and beautifully surreal quarry. She is married to her husband and RGG co-publisher, John G. Stamos. Click here to follow Ann Simpson-Stamos on X (Twitter), and find her on Bluesky at Ann in Bridge Lake at Bluesky.
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Hi, Ann. What a lovely plant. You are lucky to be surrounded by such beauty. I am glad to hear the name of this plant has been edited. False no more! Plant nomenclature has always been of interest to me. Sometimes it makes sense. Other times I can’t get used to it. Like Mahonia. Now we call it Barberry. Oh, well.
Thank you for sharing your story about this intriguing plant along with the beautiful photos.
Happy New Year!
Hi Lane! Thanks so much for reading the piece and for the wonderful comments. Nomenclature and taxonomy are truly fascinating, though sometimes it does feel like a full time job just trying to keep up (especially with fungi!). And don’t get me started on taxon swaps, or, as I like to call them, mergers and acquisitions.
Cheers, and Happy New Year to you as well!
Ann, thank you for sharing the information and lovely photographs with your readers. It is always wonderful to see the early signs of spring in such a lovely way. It’s a cold snowy night here and your article was a wonderful reminder that spring is just around the corner. It’s too bad that the corner is such a long way off!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the piece, Kevin! You’re so right, and sometimes keeping and sharing reminders of spring can be an important way to get through winter. Be careful in the snow out there, and Happy New Year!
Beautiful and interesting article.
Such an unusual plant. Love the photography ❤️🙏
Thanks so very much, Roxxy! I’m so glad that you enjoyed the feature and the photos of one of my favourite wildflowers. It’s always lovely to hear from you.
Western Solomon’s Plume is a rare and unusual plant. Thanks to your outstanding photographic and writing skills, it is brought to my attention for the first time. Many thanks, Ann, for exposing me to the flora and fauna of your beautiful area of Canada.
Thanks so much for reading this, Rick, and I am so very glad that you enjoyed learning about one of my favourite native wildflowers. It really is a natural beauty in these parts.
I’m glad to have learned the word “tepal,” and loved “fruit of the plume!” Very enjoyable reading, Ann!
Thanks for reading this, Lisa! Yes, “tepal” is a fascinating term that makes perfect sense when describing certain plants, and I love that you picked up on my little pun!