Uses
Edible uses
Notes
Fruit - raw or cooked[1][2]. The fruit is about the size of a pea and is produced on the plant in small terminal clusters of about 2 - 8 berries[3]. It has a nice bitter-sweet flavour that is somewhat reminiscent of treacle[85, K]. The fruit is a good source of vitamin C, it has been used to prevent scurvy[4]. The fruit is said to be laxative in large quantities when eaten raw, especially if you are not used to eating it, though thorough cooking removes this laxative effect[K].
Young leaves - raw or cooked. The young shoots, as they emerge in spring, can be used as an asparagus substitute[5]. The young shoots and leaves are cooked and used as greens[6].
Root - cooked. It should be soaked in alkaline water first to get rid of a disagreeable taste[5][4]. It can be eaten like potatoes[4].Fruit
Leaves
Root
Material uses
There are no material uses listed for Smilacena stellata.Medicinal uses(Warning!)
Star-flowered lily of the valley was employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints[8]. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism.
A tea made from the roots is drunk to regulate menstrual disorders[4]. A decoction of the leaves is taken 2 - 3 times a day in the treatment of rheumatism and colds[8]. Half a cup of leaf tea drunk daily for a week by a woman is said to prevent conception[4][8].
The root is analgesic, antiseptic, haemostatic, ophthalmic, stomachic and vulnerary[8]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of stomach complaints, internal pains and to regulate menstrual disorders[8]. The dried powdered root has been used in treating wounds and bleeding[4][8]. The crushed root has been used as a poultice on sprains, boils, swellings and limbs affected by rheumatism[8]. The pulped root has been used as ear drops to treat ear aches[8]. An infusion of the roots has been used as a wash for inflamed eyes[8].Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Ground cover
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed can be very slow to germinate, often taking 18 months. Stored seed should be sown in a cold frame as soon as possible, it may take 2 years or longer to germinate. Grow the seedlings on in a shady part of a greenhouse for their first year without pricking them out, giving them liquid or foliar feeds as required to ensure that they do not become nutrient deficient. Divide the young plants up into individual pots in the autumn when they are dormant, and grow them on for at least another year in a shady part of the greenhouse. When the plants have reached a sufficient size, plant them out in the autumn whilst they are dormant.
Division in spring or early autumn. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.
Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Smilacena stellata. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
Requires a deep fertile humus rich moisture retentive soil, neutral to slightly acid, that does not dry out in the growing season, and a shady position[9]. Does well in a woodland garden[9].
Plants have a creeping rhizome and can form extensive patches[10]. Fruits well in a shady woodland position at Kew[K]. Hardy to about -25°c[10]. Plants are slow to establish but then can become invasive[7].
The flowers are powerfully scented[11].Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Smilacena stellata. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
Polycultures & Guilds
There are no polycultures listed which include Smilacena stellata.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
Taxonomy
Binomial name
Smilacena stellata
Genus
Smilacena
Family
Convallariaceae
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Environment
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
References
- ? 1.01.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
- ? 2.02.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
- ? 3.03.1 Turner. N. J. Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples UBC Press. Vancouver. ISBN 0-7748-0533-1 (1995-00-00)
- ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.64.7 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
- ? 5.05.15.2 Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press ISBN 0-8623-0343-9 (1967-00-00)
- ? 6.06.1 Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press ISBN 63-7093 (1963-00-00)
- ? 7.07.17.27.3 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
- ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.68.78.88.9 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
- ? 9.09.19.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
- ? 10.010.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
- ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
- ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)
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