Maianthemum stellatum is a perennial, monocotyledon, summer green herb to 60 cm tall (usually less), stem unbranched, colonial from a creeping rhizome.
Leaves alternate, ranked along stem, to 15 cm long, 5 cm wide, tip taped to point, finely hairy below; stalkless, usually folded, somewhat clasping, lance-shaped, veins parallel to midrib
Flowers white to 1 cm wide; inflorescence an unbranched cluster at tip of stem; blooms May-June.
Fruit fleshy, 3-lobed, to 1 cm wide, green with blackish stripes when immature, becoming entirely dark red when ripe; blooms Aug-Sept. seeds 1-2.
Wetland status: FACW.
Frequency in NYC: Very uncommon.
Origin: Native.
Habitat: Usually in moist sand of forest understory, near shore (Also found in holly forest on Sandy Hook, NJ, M. Gargiullo personal observation).