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November 17, 2007 : Maianthemum dilatatum
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Keywords: Ruscaceae | Maianthemum dilatatum (Alph. Wood) A. Nelson & J. F. Macbride | near Botanical Beach, Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada
This particular species of false lily-of-the-valley or snakeberry has a distribution range that borders the north temperate Pacific Ocean. In Asia, it is found in Japan and the Kamchatka Peninsula. Its North American distribution stretches from Alaska south to northern California. Generally, in North America, it is found west of the Coast-Cascade Mountains, though it does stretch east along the British Columbia and Washington border, and even has a disjunct population in northern Idaho (distribution map in NA).
I was intrigued by the colonization of the tree trunk by these plants. Or plant – it could be one genetic individual, given that the Flora of North America describes Maianthemum dilatatum with the character of: “Rhizomes sympodial, proliferatively branching.”. The rhizome is a creeping stem; sympodial means that individual plant forms many lateral shoots to expand outwards along the edges of the clump instead of growing only from the terminal point of the stem (i.e., forming a runner). This strategy of growth helps make Maianthemum dilatatum a desirable shady-spot groundcover.
These photographs are from mid-June in 2007.
Posted by Daniel Mosquin at November 17, 2007 8:17 AM
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Posted by: Marjorie Jarrett at November 17, 2007 9:06 AM
Amazing to see this Maianthemum growing up the tree trunk. Our native (here in Maine) M. canadense is often called "Canada Mayflower", and is very nice but not nearly so spectacular, nor does it ever grow up tree trunks. Cullina says M. dilatatum is hardy to Zone 4, so I will search for some. Many thanks!
Posted by: Ginny Remeika at November 17, 2007 9:32 AM
Hmmm, "a desirable shady-spot groundcover," especially of the "proliferatively branching rhizomous" species of plants often becomes an undesirable and unwanted invasive.
Posted by: TC at November 17, 2007 11:18 AM
>I always wish that I had a better name than 'false...' something or other for such an attractive plant but I don't think I like snakeberry much better
Wild Lily-of-the-Valley
Beadruby
Deerberry
May Lily
Oregon Colt's-foot
Posted by: Ron B at November 17, 2007 11:51 AM
I love the way it's growing up the tree trunk. Mother Nature is an amazing landscaper as the other viewer said.
Posted by: Meg Bernstein at November 17, 2007 11:59 AM
I'm replying to Ginny's comment below:
"Our native (here in Maine) M. canadense is often called "Canada Mayflower", and is very nice but not nearly so spectacular, nor does it ever grow up tree trunks."
We have Maianthemum canadense var. canadense (syn. M. canadense) as a native plant in Rhode Island. It does crawl up tree trunks. I have a lovely picture of it doing so. It is also extraordinarilly invasive, carpeting large areas of the forest floor. I would characterize it as an undesirable shady-spot groundcover. Other native Maianthemum species, for example: M. racemosum, M. stellatum and M. trifolium have been moved to the Smilacina genus. M. dilatatum looks to be more attractive yet invasive also. Perhaps Ginny you will rue the day you found a source for M. dilatatum.
Dianne
Posted by: Dianne Huling at November 17, 2007 1:15 PM
thank you daniel this will be
a book mark page
so much life dwells in this space
i put my zoom up to 200 and am in awe
ferns growing on the trunk of the tree
little red insects or perhaps snails?
some kind of red blooms on the right
all manner of plants on the floor of
the forest i love the shape of the leaves
so much to see and enjoy--thank you
Posted by: elizabeth a airhart at November 17, 2007 5:55 PM
Maianthemum, ma-an-the-mum; from Gr. Maia, the mother of Mercury [Gr. mythology], to whom the month of May was dedicated, and anthemon , a flower. Plant Names Simplified, Johnson and Smith.
Posted by: Beverley at November 18, 2007 7:35 AM
I always enjoy your visits to Botanical Beach.
Posted by: Anthony at December 1, 2007 10:49 AM
Please share your comments about the photograph(s) and accompanying write-up. Telling a story about the subject of the photograph(s) is also much appreciated! If you have a gardening question, the best place to ask is on the UBC Botanical Garden Forums. Thank you!
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I always wish that I had a better name than 'false...' something or other for such an attractive plant but I don't think I like snakeberry much better. anyway - lovely landscaping job by mother nature and great photos, especially the one on the right.