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.
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.
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!
Hmmm, "a desirable shady-spot groundcover," especially of the "proliferatively branching rhizomous" species of plants often becomes an undesirable and unwanted invasive.
>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
I love the way it's growing up the tree trunk. Mother Nature is an amazing landscaper as the other viewer said.
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
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
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.
I always enjoy your visits to Botanical Beach.