Feathery False Lily Of The Valley

Maianthemum racemosum is sometimes cultivated. It was described as apomictic (A. L. Gorham 1953) but is much in need of cytogeographic and reproductive biological studies.

Plants terrestrial, to 12.5 cm. Rhizomes sympodial, cylindrical, units 30–40 cm × 8–14 mm, sometimes multiplied, roots scattered. Stems erect or arching, 7.5–12.5 dm × 7–9 mm. Leaves 7–12, sessile and clasping, or petiolate; blade elliptic to ovate, 9–17 × 5–8 cm; base rounded or tapered; apex acute or caudate. Inflorescences paniculate, 70–250-flowered, branches well developed, pyramidal. Flowers 3-merous; tepals inconspicuous, 0.5–1 × 0.5 mm; filaments 1 × 0.5 mm; anthers 0.5–1 mm; ovary globose, 1 mm wide; style 0.1–0.3 mm; stigma obscure; pedicel 0.5–1 × 0.5 mm. Berries green with copper spots when young, maturing to deep translucent red, globose or 3-lobed, 4–6 mm wide. Seeds 1–4, globose, 2.5–4 mm. 2n = 36, 72, 144.

Convallaria racemosa Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 315. 1753; Smilacina racemosa (Linnaeus) Desfontaines; Unifolium racemosum (Linnaeus) Britton