| Maianthemum scilloideum | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asparagaceae |
| Subfamily: | Nolinoideae |
| Genus: | Maianthemum |
| Species: | M. scilloideum |
| Binomial name | |
| Maianthemum scilloideum (M.Martens & Galeotti) LaFrankie | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Maianthemum scilloideum is a perennial flowering plant. It is a terrestrial forest herb[2] from southern Mexico and Guatemala[1] and also reported from Honduras.[3]
Description
Plants from 15–35 cm (6–14 in) [2] tall from forked, widely spreading rhizomes with roots clumped near the base of leafy shoots. Stems are leafy, upright, hairless and smooth or ribbed. There are 6-9 leaves set 2.5–5 cm (1–2 in) apart; more closely spaced near the tip of the plant.[2]
Leaves
Leaves are 5–8 cm (2–3 in) long by 2–3.5 cm (1–1 in) wide. They are either sessile and clasping or have a short, 2-3 mm long petiole. Leaf blades are hairless, shiny, oval to egg-shaped with pointed tips and rounded bases and with flat (not undulating) edges. The veins are evident.[2]
Flowering clusters
8 to 27 flowers are set in a complex raceme with a main axis 1.4 – 4 cm long that droops at first, becoming erect. The axis is ribbed, green or maroon and usually smooth. There are 4 to 8 nodes along the main axis, 2-7 mm apart and arraigned in a helix around the main axis. Each node has 2 to 3 (sometimes 4) flowers set on spreading pedicels that are usually 3.5 to 8 mm long.[2]
Flowers and fruits
The flowers have spreading white tepals 3-6 mm long. Stamens are inserted at the base of the tepals. Fruits are rounded, 6-8 mm across, green when immature, ripening to red. Flowering is from April to August, fruits are retained June to December.[2]
Distribution
Maianthemum scilloideum has been documented in Guatemala, in Honduras (La Paz) and in Mexico in the states of Chiapas, Coahuila, Guerrero, Michoacán, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Puebla and Veracruz.[3]
Habitat and ecology
It has been found at sites from 1400 to 3500 m elevation.[3] It is a terrestrial herb forming loose colonies in understories of confier-oak forests.[2]
References
- 1 2 Sicence, Kew. "Maianthemum scilloideum (M.Martens & Galeotti) LaFrankie". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 LaFrankie (October 1986). "Morphology and taxonomy of the new world species of Maianthemum (Liliaceae)". Journal of the Arnold Arboretum. 67 (4): 371-439.
- 1 2 3 Botanical Gardens, Missouri. "Maianthemum scilloideum (M.Martens & Galeotti) LaFrankie". Tropicos. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
Bibliography
LaFrankie (October 1986). "Morphology and taxonomy of the new world species of Maianthemum (Liliaceae)". Journal of the Arnold Arboretum. 67 (4): 371-439.