Garden

[cheriere]

This time of year, a lovely fragrant wildflower fills the woods around me.  Luckily, there's many that even grow fairly close to my house, so I don't have to venture out too far.

Its known as False Feathery Lily Of The Valley.  It's a deciduous, perennial herbaceous plant that attracts many different pollinators and wildlife.  It belongs to the lily family and although wild, has been cultivated to use as a plant that many enjoy in their gardens.

Once the large, luscious blooms are gone, they're replaced by bright berries that provide food for birds and other mammals.  The last picture is of the ripe berries.  I borrowed this one from the internet, as it's not close to time for these yet.

However, they are edible and considered by many to be the best wildflower plant available for use.

[on the bay]

@cheriere,

Your photos make everything look beautiful and special!

[cheriere]

@on the bay 

Thank you 😃❤️

My dad actually spotted these at the far end of our yard, just before you reach the woods.  He knew I'd been looking for different wildflowers, so he took me right to these.  He wasn't sure what they were either, but thought they might be a lily.😃

[Icegoddess]

False Lily of the Valley is not the same plant as Solomon's Seal.  The foliage is similar, but the flowers are completely different.  This is a Solomon's Seal.  Note the flowers are small and hang below the plant along the stem.  

Here's a closeup of the flowers:

[cheriere]

@Icegoddess 

I didn't know that.  From what I read and my app identified, False Feathery Lily of the Valley also goes by this name and is native to the East Coast.  Regular False Lily of the Valley is only native to western states such as California and Oregon.

However, I will remove the nickname Solomons Seal until I can research further.

[Icegoddess]

@cheriere Feathery False Lily of the Valley, Maianthemum racemosum (L.), does go by FALSE Solomon's Seal along with other names.  But Solomon's Seal is a completely different species, Polygonatum.  That's why the proper Latin name is important in identifying plants.  

I, personally, don't think the False Lily of the Valley looks anything like a real Lily of the Valley (below), Convallaria majalas, and I rather doubt Convallaria majalas is the same plant referred to in the Bible. 

[cheriere]

@Icegoddess 

I don't think they look alike either. This flower isn't native to that region of the world.  I guess that's what separates this as a wildflower.  I actually find the greenery it produces to be more attractive and I find it very pretty and unexpected to see. 😃❤️