Maianthemum is a genus formerly included in Liliaceae, which was split out into Convallariaceae. This latter family is now considered to belong in either Ruscaceae or Asparagaceae by the Angiosperm Phylogeny II group. There are 20 species of this genus found in North America, Central America, northern Europe, and eastern Asia. They are perennials with creeping rhizomes. Some are epiphytic. At one time this genus was considered to be limited to species with four tepals. Plants with six tepals were placed in the genus Smilacina. Now a number of taxonomists agree that the six tepaled plants should be included with the four tepaled plants in Maianthemum.
Maianthemum dilatatum is one of the four tepaled species. It is found in moist shady woods from California’s north coast to British Columbia where it is often seen in large colonies. It has parallel-veined heart shaped leaves with tiny white flowers. Photos of the leaves taken in Humboldt and Mendocino Counties (California) by Mary Sue Ittner and the flowers and berries taken in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties (California) by Bob Rutemoeller.
Maianthemum racemosum, syn. Smilacina racemosa is found in moist woods and stream banks to open forests in North America. It has a stout fleshy rootstock and in spite of its name a dense panicle of branching white flowers followed by bright red berries. Photos by Bob Rutemoeller of plants seen in flower in Scotland and growing wild along the Mendocino-Sonoma coast in California.
Maianthemum stellatum , syn. Smilacina stellata is found in moist woods, along streams and well-drained hillsides in North America. It is a geophyte with a slender fleshy rootstock with many veined alternate green leaves and small creamy white flowers followed by a greenish yellow berry. Where it is happy it soon forms colonies. Photos by Mary Sue Ittner of plants growing wild along the Mendocino-Sonoma Coast of California. These plants go dormant in fall and then reappear late winter and flower in spring.
