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Native Plant Database

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Maianthemum dilatatum (False lily of the valley)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Maianthemum dilatatum (Wood) A. Nels. & J.F. Macbr.

False lily of the valley, Canada Mayflower

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

USDA Symbol: madi

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

An erect stalk, 2-4 in. high, bears two broad, glossy-green, heart-shaped leaves and a terminal, spiky cluster of tiny, white flowers. Subsequent berries are red. Since each stalk comes from an extensive, horizontal, underground root system, a single plant can, in time, produce hundreds of above-ground triads – two leaves and a flower cluster. Grows in the low patches and has slender racemes of tiny white flowers held stiffly erect just above heart-shaped leaves.

The genus name, from the Greek maios (May) and anthemon (flower), refers to time of flowering. This plant, which spreads by underground roots, makes an attractive ground cover in woodland gardens.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit: Red
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AK , CA , ID , OR , WA
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: AK, s. along the coast to Marin Co., CA & e. to n. ID
Native Habitat: Moist, shaded stream banks & woods
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Moist soils.
Conditions Comments: An extremely aggressive ground cover that should be used with caution as it seems happiest when invading areas where it is not wanted. Will grow in nutrient poor sites.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Propagate by rhizome division or seed. Plant seeds fresh (when berries turn red) in late summer
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Oregon Native Plant Nursery - Woodburn, OR

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 928 - 100 easy-to-grow native plants for Canadian gardens (2005) Johnson, L.; A. Leyerle

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Maianthemum dilatatum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Maianthemum dilatatum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Maianthemum dilatatum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2008-12-17
Research By: TWC Staff

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