Edible Parts: Shoots
Edible Uses:

False King Solomon's seal is one of the more rewarding woodland food plants when handled carefully. Its young shoots resemble mild asparagus, the rhizomes provide a useful starchy food after prolonged boiling, and the ripe berries are unexpectedly sweet. Although caution is necessary because of its purgative properties and the possibility of confusion with poisonous woodland plants, Maianthemum racemosum stands out as the best edible species in the genus and a worthwhile seasonal resource for experienced foragers [2-3]. The young shoots, rhizomes, and berries are edible, but it's best to cook them and eat them sparingly. Raw plant parts may have a purgative effect, while cooking reduces bitterness and decreases this action. Shoots and berries are generally regarded as safer than rhizomes [2-3]. Edibility Rating: 3 out of 5 – A worthwhile woodland food when properly prepared, but caution and moderation are essential [2-3]. Taste and Preparation: The thick rhizomes are white inside with dark skins and contain considerable starch. After about an hour of boiling, they become soft and mildly starchy with very little bitterness or soapiness remaining. Some unpleasant flavors may persist, so discard the cooking water. Growing tips of the rhizomes and newly emerging shoots are noticeably more acrid and are best avoided. Rhizomes are easiest to harvest from autumn through spring, when starch reserves are highest. Young shoots under 10–20 cm long are tender and resemble asparagus in flavor, although they possess a mild acrid overtone and a hint of sweetness. The lower white portions are considerably better tasting than the greener upper sections. Cooking changes the texture very little but produces a pleasantly thick broth because of the plant's natural mucilage. Since flavour varies between colonies and several poisonous woodland plants produce similar shoots, positive identification is essential before harvesting. The ripe berries are sweet, juicy, and somewhat reminiscent of cherries or rose hips. Most unpleasant flavors are concentrated in the seeds, making it preferable to chew around them and discard the seeds afterward. Boiling whole berries draws bitterness from the seeds into the flesh and significantly reduces their quality. Although the berries taste surprisingly good, eating large quantities may cause digestive upset, so eat in moderation [2-3]. Seasonality: Shoots emerge in spring, flowers appear from May to July, berries ripen during summer, and rhizomes are best harvested from autumn through early spring when starch reserves are greatest. Traditional Uses: Several Native American peoples cooked the shoots, rhizomes, and berries in small quantities. The Ojibwe traditionally soaked rhizomes in lye water before parboiling and cooking them, primarily to reduce bitterness. Pacific Northwest peoples also used the western subspecies (ssp. amplexicaule), suggesting that both western and eastern forms have similar food value. Safety: Although edible, cook all parts and eat them in moderation. Raw consumption can be purgative, and large quantities may cause digestive upset. Closely related species contain cardiac glycosides, so caution is warranted. Because young shoots resemble those of several poisonous woodland plants, positive identification is essential before harvesting [2-3]. Fruit - raw, cooked or made into jellies and molasses[2, 46, 55, 85, 102, 183]. The fruit is smaller than a pea but is produced in quite large terminal clusters on the plant and so is easy to harvest. It has a delicious bitter-sweet flavour, suggesting bitter molasses[85, 183]. The fruit is said to store well[207], it certainly hangs well on the plants and we have picked very delicious fruits in late October[K]. Rich in vitamins[177], the fruit has been used to prevent scurvy[213]. Some caution is advised since the raw fruit is said to be laxative in large quantities, though this is only if you are not used to eating this fruit[85, 102, 159, 183]. Thorough cooking removes much of this laxative element[183]. Young leaves - raw or cooked[102]. The young shoots, as they emerge in spring, can be cooked and used as an asparagus substitute[55, 85, 102, 159, 183]. Root - cooked[85]. It should be soaked in alkaline water first to get rid of a disagreeable taste[85, 102, 159, 183]. It can be eaten like potatoes or pickled[183].

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


False spikenard was widely employed by several native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints[257]. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism. The plant is contraceptive and haemostatic[213, 257]. A decoction is used in the treatment of coughs and the spitting up of blood[257]. Half a cup of leaf tea drunk daily for a week by a woman is said to prevent conception[213, 257]. a poultice of the crushed fresh leaves is applied to bleeding cuts[257]. A tea made from the roots is drunk to regulate menstrual disorders[213]. The root is analgesic, antirheumatic, appetizer, blood purifier, cathartic and tonic[257]. A decoction is said to be a very strong medicine, it is used for treating rheumatism and kidney problems and, when taken several times a day it has been used successfully in treating cancer and heart complaints[257]. The fumes from a burning root have been inhaled to treat headaches and general body pain[257]. The fumes have also been used to restore an unconscious patient and to bring an insane person back to normal[257]. The dried powdered root has been used in treating wounds[213]. A poultice of the root has been applied to the severed umbilical cord of a child in order to speed the healing process and is also used to treat cuts, swellings etc[257]. A cold infusion of the root is used as a wash for sore eyes[257].

False King Solomon's seal is an attractive woodland perennial suitable for shaded native gardens. Plants can be grown as a ground cover when planted about 45cm apart each way[208]. The flowers provide nectar for woodland pollinators, while the berries are consumed by birds and other wildlife, helping disperse the seeds.

Special Uses

Food Forest