Two-leaved Solomon’s Seal.Smilacina trifolia.False little Solomon’s Seal.Two-leaved Smilax.
Found in the woods during May.
The stalk, which grows from 3 to 6 inches in height, is round, and grooved, and usually bears 2 leaves. Its color is pale green, sometimes tinged with dull red.
The oval leaf is heart-shaped at the base where it partly clasps the stalk; the margin is entire, and the ribs are parallel, the texture is fine, and the surface is smooth and shining. In color, a light yellowish-green. Two or three leaves occur on the plant, alternately placed.
The flower is quite small, and white, with 4 petal-like parts, 4 stamens, and 1 pistil. The flowers are fragrant, and very numerous, clustered in a short, close terminal spike.
In common with others of the small Smilaxes the strong-fibred stem has a somewhat zigzag gesture. It looks an honest little plant, not at all deserving the opprobrious epithet, “false,” that has been given it.