false solomon’s seals

(mayflowers and false solomon's seals)
genus Maianthemum

Member of dragon tree subfamily (subfamily Nolinoideae)
asparagus family (family Asparagaceae)
monocots (class Liliopsida)
flowering plants (subphylum Angiospermae)

There are no other wild species of this genus in California.

This genus was split off from the “true” solomon’s seals (Polygonatum spp.), which are not found in California.

See also the american fairybells (genus Prosartes), which have a thinner, branched, woody stem.

Key features:

4 or 6 perianth parts
perianth > stamens or ≪ stamens
leaves with or without petioles

western solomon’s plume
Maianthemum racemosum ssp. amplexicaule

western solomon’s plume
Maianthemum racemosum ssp. amplexicaule

perianth parts 6
inflorescence is a panicle

i.e. flowers are on a pedicel off of a branch off the peduncle
> 20 flowers per inflorescence

perianth 1–2 mm, ≪ stamens
fruit tan with red speckles (possibly with a greenish stripe without speckles) or bright red
leaf 7–20 cm, ovate to oblong-elliptic

most leaves are curled lengthwise at the leaf base to clasp the twig

common

star-flowered lily-of-the-valley
Maianthemum stellatum

star-flowered lily-of-the-valley
Maianthemum stellatum

perianth parts 6
inflorescence is a raceme (or few-branched near base)

i.e. flowers are on pedicel directly off the peduncle
5–15 flowers per inflorescence

perianth 4–7 mm, > stamens
fruit tan with red speckles and bold dark purple stripes or bright red
leaf 5–17 cm, (ob)lanceolate to elliptic

leaves clasp the twig weakly, not curled at the base

common

western lily of the valley
Maianthemum dilatatum

perianth parts 4
inflorescence is a raceme
10–50 flowers per inflorescence
2–3 leaves, 5–20 cm, cordate to sagittate; petioles 5–15 cm
San Bruno, Marin, Mt. Tam

2 observed taxons / 1 unobserved taxon / 1 key

Chris’s observations: 58 (55 are research grade)

Locations:

Nisene Marks SP: 11
Stevens Creek CP: 7
Sweeney Ridge National Recreation Area: 5
Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills: 3
Sanborn CP: 3
Bear Creek Redwoods OSP: 2
Desolation Wilderness: 2
Edgewood Park & Natural Preserve: 2
Henry Cowell Redwoods SP - Fall Creek Unit: 2
Sierra Azul OSP: 2
Big Basin SP
Butano SP
Coal Creek OSP
DeLaveaga Park, Santa Cruz
Foothills Nature Preserve, Palo Alto
Henry Cowell Redwoods SP
Huckleberry Botanic RP
Long Ridge OSP
Monte Bello OSP
Mt. Madonna SP
Pescadero Creek CP
Picchetti Ranch OSP
Portola Redwoods SP
Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP
Russian Ridge OSP
Sam McDonald CP
San Pedro Valley CP
Waterdog Lake & Open Space
Wilder Ranch SP

Months:

Feb.: 1
Mar.: 5
Apr.: 10
May: 15
Jun.: 6
Jul.: 7
Aug.: 6
Sep.: 7
Oct.: 0
Nov.: 1

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Taxon info: iNaturalist – Calflora – Jepson eFlora – FNA

Bay Area species: iNaturalist – Calflora