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Maianthemum dilatatum - (Wood.)Nels.&MacBr.

Common Name Wild Lily Of The Valley, False lily of the valley
Family Convallariaceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Shaded or moist streambanks and open to dense coniferous and broadleaves woods if they are moist[60, 270], in humus-rich slightly acid soils[200] to 1000 metres[60].
Range Western N. America - California to Alaska.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade
Maianthemum dilatatum Wild Lily Of The Valley, False lily of the valley


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:%CE%A364
Maianthemum dilatatum Wild Lily Of The Valley, False lily of the valley
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wsiegmund

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Maianthemum dilatatum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from March to April. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

M. kamtschaticum.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit  Leaves
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or dried for later use[118, 177]. The fruits are about the size of small peas and are produced in terminal clusters on the plants, they are not regarded very highly[256]. North American Indian children would eat the raw unripe green berries straight from the plant[256]. Adults would usually harvest the green berries and then store them in water until they turned red and were soft[256]. Alternatively they would dry the green berries and then boil them for a few minutes[256]. Young leaves - cooked[177].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Infertility  Ophthalmic  Poultice  TB

A poultice made of the whole or the mashed leaves has been applied to boils, burns, cuts and wounds[257]. The fruit has been used as a good medicine in the treatment of tuberculosis[257]. The root has been chewed in order to correct sterility[257]. (This probably means to restore fertility[K]) An infusion of the pounded roots has been used as a wash for sore eyes, whilst the chewed roots have been used as a poultice on the eyes[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a cool shady moist but not wet position[1, 187]. Plants tolerate warm summers only if the soil remains moist[200]. A mat forming plant, it can be invasive in good conditions[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown quite thinly it as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, it should germinate in the spring. Stored seed should be sown in late winter in a cold frame, it might take 18 months to germinate. Allow the seedlings to grow on in the pot for their first year, giving liquid feeds as necessary to ensure that they do not go hungry. Divide the plants into individual pots once they have died down in late summer. Grow them on in pots for another year or more until large enough to plant out[K]. Division as new growth commences in the spring. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation (Chita), Russian Federation (Habarovskij kraj, Primorye, Kamcatskij kraj, Sakhalin), Korea, Japan (Hokkaidô, Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku) NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Yukon (southwest), British Columbia), United States (Idaho, Oregon, Washington, California, Alaska)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Maianthemum canadenseCanada Beadruby, Canada mayflowerPerennial0.1 3-7 FLMHFSM112

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Wood.)Nels.&MacBr.

Botanical References

160270

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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