Wildflower of the valley
Purple Solomon's Seal
Maianthemum purpureum
- How easy to find
- Very rare — you need to search for it — local knowledge helps
- Flower size
- Medium to large
- Family
- Asparagaceae (Asparagus family)
- Local name
- Lamnyat
- Type
- Herb
- Height
- large,medium
- Flower colour
- White
- Flowering
- May to July
About Purple Solomon's Seal
Mianthemum purpureum is an erect herb of 30-50 cm with creeping rhizomes and stem with two rank of leaves. Leaves are alternate from 3 to 9 per plant. Flowers are white in color and looks like long spikes. Berries are purple black when get ripen. Mianthemum, the genetic name means a plant which flowers in May.
Where to find it
- Along the trail from Govindghat to Ghangaria
Habitat
Undergrowth of forests in moist places.
Uses & folklore
Whole plant is used as a vegetable. Leaves being used for dysmenorrhoea.
What the name means
Maianthemum is Greek Maios (May) + anthemon (flower); purpureum means "purple". The species was long known as Smilacina purpurea.
