false lily of the valley

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Pacific May lily
• false lily-of-the-valley
• two-leaved false Solomon's-seal
• May-lily
• deerberry
• Western Lily of the Valley
• deer heart
• false lily of the valley

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Convallaria bifolia var. kamtschatica
• Smilacina bifolia var. kamtschatica
• Maianthemum bifolium var. dilatatum
• Maianthemum bifolium var. kamtschaticum
• Maianthemum kamtschaticum
• Unifolium kamtschaticum
• Maianthemum bifolium subsp. kamtschaticum
• Unifolium bifolium subsp. kamtschaticum
• Maianthemum bifolium var. pumilum
• Unifolium dilatatum
• Smilacina dilatata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Maianthemum dilatatum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Asparagales and the family Asparagaceae. It is specifically identified under the genus Maianthemum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several northern regions. In Northern Europe, its presence is specifically noted within Great Britain. Moving eastward into Siberia, the species can be found in the Chita region. Its range extends significantly into the Russian Far East, covering areas such as Amur and Khabarovsk. Additionally, the plant is also distributed throughout the Kamchatka Peninsula.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Maianthemum dilatatum is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse range of environmental settings, demonstrating significant adaptability to varying moisture levels and soil compositions. This species is commonly found inhabiting coastal dunes, where it must withstand salt spray and sandy, well-drained substrates, as well as within the sheltered, nutrient-rich environments of forest understories. Additionally, it colonizes open meadows, benefiting from the moderate light availability and stabilized soil structures typical of these grasslands. This broad distribution across dunes, forests, and meadows suggests a resilient ecological strategy that allows the plant to occupy multiple distinct niches within its landscape.

Habitat :

dunes, forest, meadows

Genetics

The genetics of Maianthemum dilatatum are characterized by a stable diploid genome, as indicated by its ploidy level of 2. This chromosomal state suggests a regular evolutionary lineage where the species maintains two complete sets of chromosomes, facilitating consistent meiotic processes and predictable inheritance patterns. As a diploid organism, its genetic architecture provides the foundational blueprint for its physiological adaptations and phenotypic expressions, ensuring the stability of its hereditary information across generations.

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Maianthusmum dilatatum is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, it is classified as a cryptophyte, ensuring its survival through various environmental conditions by protecting its vital organs underground. More specifically, its life form is defined as a geophyte, indicating that it relies on underground storage organs to sustain itself and regenerate during dormant periods.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Maianthemum dilatatum is characterized by a low-growing growth form, primarily functioning as a non-woody herb and forb. It maintains a diminutive stature, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 0.25 m. In terms of its habit, the species is self-supporting rather than acting as a liana or vine, and it exhibits a terrestrial existence, though it can occupy habitats spanning aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial environments. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite, and it is strictly terrestrial rather than acting as an epiphyte.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.25 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Maianthemum dilatatum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and environmental adaptations. As a C3 plant, the primary carbon fixation process occurs through the Calvin cycle, where the enzyme RuBisCO captures atmospheric carbon dioxide to produce three-carbon compounds. This physiological mechanism implies that the plant performs most efficiently in temperate or cool environments where photorespiration rates remain relatively low, allowing for steady biomass accumulation. The energy acquisition process is closely tied to its ability to regulate gas exchange and transpiration through stomatal movements, balancing the intake of CO2 with the prevention of excessive water loss. This metabolic framework supports its growth patterns and resource allocation strategies within its specific ecological niche.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Maianthemum dilatatum is characterized by a specific flowering period that typically begins in May and concludes in June. The plant produces fleshy fruits, which serve as the vessels for its seeds. The seeds exhibit a highly consistent volume, with both the minimum, maximum, and mean measurements recorded at exactly 16 mm³. In terms of mass, the seeds show more variability, with a minimum mass of 0.01797 g, a maximum mass of 0.06625 g, and an overall mean seed mass of approximately 0.034076 g.

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed mass max:

0.06625 g

Seed mass mean:

0.034076 g

Seed mass min:

0.01797 g

Seed volume max:

16 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Maianthemum dilatatum has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology