Maianthemum racemosum

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Maianthemum racemosum
Maianthemum racemosum 4930.JPG
Status TNC G5.svg
Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Nolinoideae
Genus: Maianthemum
Species:
M. racemosum
Binomial name
Maianthemum racemosum
(L.) Link
Synonyms [1] [2]
Synonyms list
  • *Convallaria ciliata(Desf.) Poir.
    • Convallaria racemosa L.
    • Polygonastrum racemosum(L.) Moench
    • Sigillaria ciliata(Desf.) Raf.
    • Sigillaria multifloraRaf.
    • Smilacina ciliataDesf.
    • Smilacina flexicaulisWender.
    • Smilacina latifoliaNutt. ex Baker
    • Smilacina racemosa(L.) Desf.
    • Smilacina racemosa var. cylindrata Fernald
    • Smilacina racemosa f. foliosaVict.
    • Smilacina racemosa var. lanceolataB.Boivin
    • Tovaria racemosa(L.) Neck. ex Baker
    • Unifolium racemosum(L.) Britton
    • Vagnera australis Small
    • Vagnera racemosa(L.) Morong ex Kearney
    • Vagnera retusaRaf.

Maianthemum racemosum, the treacleberry, feathery false lily of the valley, [3] false Solomon's seal, Solomon's plume [4] [5] or false spikenard, is a species of flowering plant native to North America. It is a common, widespread plant with numerous common names and synonyms, known from every US state except Hawaii, and from every Canadian province and territory (except Nunavut and the Yukon), as well as from Mexico. [5]

Contents

Description

It is a woodland herbaceous perennial plant growing to 50–90 centimetres (20–35 inches) tall, with 7–12 alternate, oblong-lanceolate leaves 7–15 cm (2+34–6 in) long and 3–6 cm (1+182+38 in) broad. The leaf bases are rounded to clasping or tapered, sometimes with a short petiole. The leaf tips are pointed to long-tipped.

Seven to 250 small flowers are produced on a 10–15 cm (4–6 in) panicle that has well-developed branches. Each flower has six white tepals 3–6 millimetres (1814 in) long and is set on a short pedicel usually less than 1 mm long. Blooming is mid-spring with fruiting by early summer. The plants produce fruits that are rounded to 3-lobed and green with copper spots when young, turning red in late summer. [5]

It spreads by cylindrical rhizomes up to 0.3 metres (1 ft) long with scattered roots. [5]

M. racemosum closely resembles members of the genus Veratrum , a highly toxic group of plants to which it is distantly related, as well as baneberry. [6]

Taxonomy

Subspecies

The Flora of North America recognizes two subspecies: amplexicaule (Nuttall) LaFrankie and racemosum. [2] [5] They are geographically separated, with subsp. amplexicaule a western subspecies and subsp. racemosum found in the east, with some overlap in the central states. The western plants (subsp. amplexicaule) have erect stems and leaves with a clasping, rounded base and upper leaves with tips with short points. The eastern subspecies (subsp. racemosum) tends to have arching stems, leaves with a short petiole and upper leaf-tips with an extended point 12–25 mm (12–1 in) long. [5] Phylogenetic analyses however show there to be molecular differences and those differences, combined with the geographical separation and morphological differences suggest that these should be considered separate species: M. amplexicaule (Nutt.) W.A. Weber for the western species and M. racemosum (Linnaeus) Link for the eastern. [7]

Etymology

The Latin specific epithet racemosum means "with flowers that appear in racemes", [8] which can cause confusion as the inflorescence is a panicle; it is the individual branches of the panicle that have flowers arranged in a raceme.

Distribution and habitat

The species is widespread, found in all Canadian provinces and territories except the Yukon and Nunavut, all US states except Hawaii, and in Northern Mexico. Subsp. amplexicaule has been found in western Canada in Alta, B.C., N.W.T., Sask.; and in the western US in Alaska, Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Mont., Nev., N.Mex., N.Dak., Oreg., S.Dak., Tex., Utah, Wash., Wyo. [5] Also found in Mexico, in Chihuahua, Coahuila and Veracruz. [1] The eastern subspecies (subsp. racemosum) is found in Canada from Manitoba east, and in all eastern US states. Both subspecies are found in the Dakotas and in Texas. [5]

The plant grows in habitats in North America up to elevations of 2,743 m (9,000 ft). The most robust and profuse occurrences of this plant are typically found in partial shade and deep, moist, soft soils. In the western part of North America an example typical habitat would be in a shaded ravine or riparian corridor with common understory associates of Dryopteris arguta , Trillium ovatum and Adiantum jordanii . [9]

Cultivation

The plant, like the closely related Polygonatum (Solomon's seal), is suitable for cultivation in moist, humus-rich soil in a woodland setting or in dappled shade. [10] It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. [11] [12]

Uses

Because it resembles plants of the highly toxic Veratrum genus, [6] this species should not be consumed unless identification is positive. [13] The plant becomes fibrous and bitter after it completes flowering and seed-setting, but the tender young shoots can be stripped of their leaves, simmered in water and eaten. Their delicate flavor is somewhat reminiscent of asparagus. The ripe fruits are edible raw or cooked [14] but may be poor in taste. [15] They can be laxative if consumed in large quantities.

Ojibwa harvested the roots of this plant and cooked them in lye water overnight to remove the bitterness and neutralize their strong laxative qualities. Native Americans boiled the roots to make tea for medicinal purposes, including to treat rheumatism, kidney issues, and wounds and back injuries. [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Polygonatum</i> Genus of flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae

Polygonatum, also known as King Solomon's-seal or Solomon's seal, is a genus of flowering plants. In the APG III classification system, it is placed in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Nolinoideae. It has also been classified in the former family Convallariaceae and, like many lilioid monocots, was formerly classified in the lily family, Liliaceae. The genus is distributed throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere. Most of the approximately 63 species occur in Asia, with 20 endemic to China.

<i>Primula vulgaris</i> Species of flowering plant

Primula vulgaris, the common primrose, is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, native to western and southern Europe, northwest Africa, and parts of southwest Asia. The common name is primrose, or occasionally common primrose or English primrose to distinguish it from other Primula species also called primroses. None of these are closely related to the evening primroses.

<i>Maianthemum</i> Genus of flowering plants

Maianthemum includes the former genus Smilacina and is a genus of perennial herbaceous flowering plants with fleshy, persistent rhizomes. It is widespread across much of North America, Europe and Asia, and may be terrestrial, aquatic or epiphytic. It is characterized by simple, unbranched stems that are upright, leaning or hanging down and have 2–17 foliage leaves. Leaves are simple and may clasp the stem or be short-petiolate. The inflorescence is terminal and either a panicle or a raceme with few to many pedicelate flowers. Most species have 6 tepals and 6 stamens; a few have parts in 4s. Tepals are distinct in most species and all of similar size. Flowers are spreading, cup-shaped or bell-shaped and usually white, but lavender to red or green in some species. Fruits are rounded to lobed berries containing few to several seeds.

<i>Maianthemum canadense</i> Species of flowering plant

Maianthemum canadense is an understory perennial flowering plant, native to Canada and the northeastern United States, from Yukon and British Columbia east to Newfoundland, into St. Pierre and Miquelon. It can be found growing in both coniferous and deciduous forests. The plant appears in two forms, either as a single leaf rising from the ground with no fruiting structures or as a flowering/fruiting stem with 2-3 leaves. Flowering shoots have clusters of 12–25 starry-shaped, white flowers held above the leaves.

<i>Maianthemum trifolium</i> Species of flowering plant

Maianthemum trifolium is a species of flowering plant that is associated with extremely wet environments and is native to Canada and the northeastern United States as well as St. Pierre and Miquelon and Asia (Siberia).

<i>Dicentra formosa</i> Species of flowering plants in the poppy family Papaveraceae

Dicentra formosa is a flowering plant with fern-like leaves and an inflorescence of drooping pink, purple, yellow or cream flowers native to the Pacific Coast of North America.

<i>Pulsatilla pratensis</i> Species of flowering plant

Pulsatilla pratensis, the small pasque flower, is a species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to central and eastern Europe, from southeast Norway and western Denmark south and east to Bulgaria. It grows from near sea level in the north of the range, up to 2,100 m (6,900 ft) in the south of its range.

<i>Dianthus superbus</i> Species of flowering plant

Dianthus superbus, the fringed pink or large pink, is a species of Dianthus native to Europe and northern Asia, from northernmost Spain and France north to arctic Norway, and east to Japan; in the south of its range, it occurs at high altitudes, up to 2,400 m.

<i>Veratrum</i> Genus of plants

Veratrum is a genus of flowering plants in the family Melanthiaceae. It occurs in damp habitats across much of temperate and subarctic Europe, Asia, and North America.

<i>Polygonatum biflorum</i> Species of flowering plant

Polygonatum biflorum is an herbaceous flowering plant native to eastern and central North America. The plant is said to possess scars on the rhizome that resemble the ancient Hebrew seal of King Solomon. It is often confused with Solomon's plume, which has upright flowers.

<i>Polygonatum <span style="font-style:normal;">×</span> hybridum</i> Species of flowering plant

Polygonatum × hybridum, the garden Solomon's-seal, is a hybrid flowering plant, which is a cross between common Solomon's-seal and angular Solomon's-seal.

<i>Streptopus amplexifolius</i> Species of plant

Streptopus amplexifolius is a species of flowering plant in the family Liliaceae, native to North America, Europe and Asia.

<i>Polygonatum multiflorum</i> Species of flowering plant

Polygonatum multiflorum, the Solomon's seal, David's harp, ladder-to-heaven or Eurasian Solomon's seal, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to Europe and temperate Asia. In Britain it is one of three native species of the genus, the others being P. odoratum and P. verticillatum.

<i>Polygonatum odoratum</i> Species of flowering plant

Polygonatum odoratum, the angular Solomon's seal or scented Solomon's seal, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to Europe, the Caucasus, Siberia, the Russian Far East, China, Mongolia, Korea, Nepal and Japan. In the United Kingdom it is one of three native species of the genus, the others being P. multiflorum and P. verticillatum.

<i>Maianthemum stellatum</i> Species of flowering plant

Maianthemum stellatum is a species of flowering plant, native across North America. It has been found in northern Mexico, every Canadian province and territory except Nunavut, and from every US state except Hawaii and the states of the Southeast. It has little white buds in the spring, followed by delicate starry flowers, then green-and-black striped berries, and finally deep red berries in the fall.

<i>Sambucus racemosa</i> Species of plant

Sambucus racemosa is a species of elderberry known by the common names red elderberry and red-berried elder.

<i>Prosartes hookeri</i> Species of flowering plant

Prosartes hookeri is a North American species of flowering plants in the lily family known by the common names drops of gold and Hooker's fairy bells.

<i>Pomaderris paniculosa</i> Species of plant

Pomaderris paniculosa, commonly known as scurfy pomaderris, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rhamnaceae and is native to Australia and New Zealand. It is a shrub with hairy branchlets, round to elliptic or egg-shaped leaves with the narrower end towards the base and panicles of hairy, cream-coloured to greenish, sometimes crimson-tinged flowers.

<i>Symphyotrichum lanceolatum</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to much of North America

Symphyotrichum lanceolatum is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to North America. Common names include panicled aster, lance-leaved aster, and white panicled aster. It is a perennial, herbaceous plant that may reach 1.5 meters tall or more, sometimes approaching 2 m. The lance-shaped leaves are generally hairless but may feel slightly rough to the touch on the top because of tiny bristles. The flowers grow in clusters and branch in panicles. They have 16–50 white ray florets that are up to 14 millimeters long and sometimes tinged pink or purple. The flower centers consist of disk florets that begin as yellow and become purple as they mature.

<i>Saxifraga callosa</i> Species of flowering plant

Saxifraga callosa, the limestone saxifrage, is a species of flowering plant in the family Saxifragaceae, that is native to maritime alpine habitats in Western Europe. Growing to 50 cm (20 in) tall by 100 cm (39 in) broad, it is a clump-forming evergreen perennial with rosettes of narrow grey-green leaves that are coated in lime. The starry, pure white flowers are borne in long panicles in spring.

References

  1. 1 2 "Maianthemum racemosum". Tropicos . Missouri Botanical Garden.
  2. 1 2 "Maianthemum racemosum". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew via The Plant List. Note that this website has been superseded by World Flora Online
  3. USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Maianthemum racemosum". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  4. "Maianthemum racemosum". Connecticut Plants. Connecticut Botanical Society. 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 LaFrankie, James V. (2002). "Maianthemum racemosum". In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.). Flora of North America North of Mexico (FNA). Vol. 26. New York and Oxford via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
  6. 1 2 Reiner, Ralph E. (1969). Introducing the Flowering Beauty of Glacier National Park and the Majestic High Rockies. Glacier Park, Inc. p. 114.
  7. Weakley, A.S.; Poindexter, R.J.; LeBlond, B.A. (2017). "New Combinations, Rank Changes and Nomenclatural and Taxonomic Comments in the Vascular Flora of the Southeastern United States". J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas. 11 (2): 291–325.
  8. Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN   978-1845337315.
  9. Hogan, C. Michael (2008). Stromberg, N. (ed.). "Coastal Woodfern (Dryopteris arguta)". GlobalTwitcher.
  10. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN   978-1405332965.
  11. "RHS Plant Selector - Maianthemum racemosum" . Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  12. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 63. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  13. Tilford, Gregory L. (1997). Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West. ISBN   0-87842-359-1.
  14. Facciola, Stephen (1990). Cornucopia: A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications. ISBN   0-9628087-0-9
  15. 1 2 Fagan, Damian (2019). Wildflowers of Oregon: A Field Guide to Over 400 Wildflowers, Trees, and Shrubs of the Coast, Cascades, and High Desert. Guilford, CT: FalconGuides. p. 24. ISBN   978-1-4930-3633-2. OCLC   1073035766.