False Solomons Seal (Smilacina racemosa) © William Britten use with permission only

False Solomons Seal (Smilacina racemosa) has leaves that are very similar to true Solomons Seal, but the flowers are very different and make identification easy. This is a very common Smoky Mtns wildflower and can be found on almost any hike up to the mid-elevations from late April to May. The photos on this page were taken along the Chestnut Top Trail and Kanati Fork Trail.

This plant is a member of the Lily family. Other common names include Solomon’s Plume and Solomon’s Zigzag.

False Solomons Seal (Smilacina racemosa) © William Britten use with permission only

The photo below was an unusual variation of the leaf coloring that I found along the Kanati Fork Trail. This was the only plant with these features among hundreds growing along that trail.

When you take a break from the wildflower hikes, please stop in at the William Britten Gallery along Glades Rd in Gatlinburg. The complete display of Smoky Mtns photos is on display. And if you are a wildflower enthusiast, consider joining my Smoky Mtns Wildflower page on Facebook. We share photos and tips on where and when to find blooms.

Leaf mutation © William Britten use with permission only