Illinois Natural History Survey - University of Illinois

Maianthemum canadense
False lily of the valley
Taxonomy

Synonyms: Maianthemum canadense interius, Maianthemum canadense var. interius, Maianthemum canadense var interius

Subspecific taxa:

Classification:

Other taxonomic & nomenclature sources: USDA PlantsITISThe Plant ListIPNI

Images

   
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Species Distribution
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County Map Legend
Absent:
Not known from county
Medium confidence:
Medium or unknown confidence;
often old records or unverifiable observations
Medium-high confidence:
Often observations by expert botanists
High confidence:
Often vouchered herbarium records
Planted / introduced:
Native species introduced outside historic range,
or only in planted locations within county (e.g., restorations)
Historic / extirpated:
Only historic records for the species; likely extirpated
(Note that this category is not yet functional)

North American distribution maps for this species: FLNAUSDA PlantsBONAPBISON

Collections, Observations & Flowering by Month [?]

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Collections & Observations by Decade [?]

Species Status

Status/Listing: No Information

Notes:

Origin: Native

Species Description

General: Monocot, perennial

Roots: adventitious, rhizomes

Shoots: alternate leaf arrangment; simple leaf type; entire leaf margin; Parallel leaf venation; oblong leaf shape

Inflorescence: raceme

Flowers: perfect; 4 merous; complete, regular; white; hypogynous ovary position

Fruit: berry

Physiology: autotrophic

Reproduction: sexual, vegetative

Ecology & Natural History

Habitat: Species is found in somewhat greater ecologic amplitude than typical M. canadense. It is often found in association with Acer saccharum, Fraxinus americana, Prunus virginiana, Quercus rubra, Tilia americana.

ILPIN Notes: This variety has leaves glabrous beneath; margins are entire or very minutely crenulate; transverse veins usually well-developed. This variety blooms about 2 weeks ahead of variety interius. The cherry-red berries in small terminal clusters last over winter & have a not unpalatable bitter-sweet taste, but being somewhat cathartic, like the berries of Smilacina. Should be eaten with caution. This variety is pubescent beneath on leaves; distinctly ciliate and transverse veins are poorly defined. Species blooms about 2 weeks after var. Canadense. Species is found only in northern 1/4 of Illinois.

Functional Relationships:

  • Pollinators:
  • Dispersal:
  • Mycorrhizae:
  • N2 fixation:

Human Relationships:

  • Edibility [?] :
  • Showy Flowers:

Wildlife and Livestock Information:

  • Food Value:
  • Cover Value:

Coefficient of Conservatism (C-value) [?] :

  • Entire State: 10
  • Chicago Area: 10

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