They sure look like False Solomon's Seal, a native plant. The scientific name is Maianthemum racemosum (used to be Smilacina racemosa).

False Solomon Seal it is! Spot on, thanks for the ID. I figured this was native, I think I know how it got in my bed now, but the placement is poor, so I may mark the area and transplant when it is dormant later in the year. I like this and my mayapples a lot. Fun features for the shaded side of my house.

so, i've been watching this plant evolve, and the clusters of flowers have turned into little balls which are reminiscent of, say, bug eggs, or maybe the little gelatin fertilizer capsules you'd find in your favorite garden soil. i am assuming these are the mottled seeds that i'm reading about online. most places i've found are claiming two years in soil to (in turn) finally germinate.

has anyone tried to mimicking stratification in a freezer/fridge with this? seems like it would be easier to propagate from roots, but ... there are sooo many seeds.

not even sure if it's worth propagating, but ... i kinda like it.