- Maianthemum dilatatum
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Maianthemum dilatatum 
Scientific classification 
Kingdom: Plantae clade: Angiosperms clade: Monocots Order: Asparagales Family: Asparagaceae Subfamily: Nolinoideae Genus: Maianthemum Species: M. dilatatum Binomial name Maianthemum dilatatum
(Alph.Wood) A.Nelson & J.F.Macbr.Maianthemum dilatatum (snakeberry, two-leaved Solomon's seal or false lily of the valley) is a common rhizomatous perennial flowering plant that is native to western North America from northern California to the Aleutian islands, and Asia across the Kamchatka Peninsula, Japan, and Korea. It grows in coastal temperate rainforests, and is often the dominant groundcover plant in Sitka Spruce forests.
M. dilatatum, Squak Mountain State Park, Issaquah, Washington
Contents
Description
The plant produces an erect, unbranched stem up to about 40 centimeters tall. A non-flowering shoot bears one smooth, waxy, shiny leaf up to 10 centimeters long and 5 to 8 broad, hence its scientific name (dilatatum means 'broad'). On plants that are flowering, 2 or 3 leaves are produced oppositely on the stems. The leaf is oval in shape with a heart-shaped base.
Immature berries of Maianthemum dilatatumThe inflorescence is an erect raceme with star-shaped white flowers. They each have four tepals and four stamens. After fertilization the fruit produced is a berry 6 millimeters in diameter. The berry is speckled red when immature and solid red when ripe. Each has 1 to 4 seeds.
Uses
The plant has many ethnobotanical uses. The roots and leaves were used medicinally, and the berries were occasionally used for food.[1]
Being tolerant of deep shade, drought, and extensive watering, the plant is becoming more popular as a shade groundcover in gardening. Care should be taken when using it in gardens as it can quickly escape confines with its creeping rhizomes and may crowd out other plants.
External links
- Jepson Manual Treatment
- USDA Plants Profile
- Flora of North America: Maianthemum dilatatum
- 2001 Washington State Dept. of Transportation: Maianthemum dilatatum
- Photo gallery
References
- Sept, D. J., 2005. Wild Berries of the Northwest. Calypso Publishing: Sechelt, B.C..
Categories:- Maianthemum
- Flora of Northeast Asia
- Flora of Western Canada
- Flora of the Western United States
- Flora of the West Coast of the United States
- Flora of Japan
- Flora of Alaska
- Flora of California
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