Maianthemum amoenum

Maianthemum amoenum is a perennial flowering plant, growing as an epiphyte on trees in cloud forests[2] from Mexico south to Honduras.[1]

Maianthemum amoenum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Nolinoideae
Genus: Maianthemum
Species:
M. amoenum
Binomial name
Maianthemum amoenum
(H.L.Wendl.) LaFrankie
Synonyms[1]
  • Smilacina amoena H.L.Wendl.

Description

Plants are 0.5–0.8 m (20–31 in) tall. Roots grow scattered evenly along densely clumped, rounded rhizomes. Stems are leaning to upright, usually with 6 to 9 leaves (sometimes up to 11), set 2–5 cm (1–2 in) apart.

Leaves

Leaves usually clasp the stalk; some may have a short (2 mm (0.079 in) long) petiole. Leaf blades are egg-shaped with pointed tips and veins are prominent. The leaf surface is hairless and shiny.

Flowering clusters

25 to 75 flowers are set on a branched flowering stalk (panicle). The main axis of the panicle is usually 4-6 cm long, stiff and straight. It is hairless and often red or with red patches. The side branches of the panicle are short (1-2 cm long) and arranged in a helix. They start off ascending, but become spreading as the flowers bloom. Each side branch has 3-5 flowers, with one flower set close to the base of the branch and the others set on 1-2 cm long stalks (pedicels) at about 4mm intervals along the branch.

Flowers and fruits

The flowers are cup-shaped and made up of lavender to pink-white tepals up to 6.5 mm long with stamens inserted at the base. Fruits are rounded to 3-lobed, 5-8mm across, green ripening to red. Flowering occurs from January to April and fruits remain on the plant into October.

Distribution

It has been found in El Salvador, Guatemala (the Totonicapán area), Honduras and in the Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas states of Mexico.[3]

Habitat and ecology

Maianthemum amoenum usually grows as an epiphyte on canopy trees of the cloud forest at 2300 - 3300 m elevation. Plants are usually found 5–15 m (16–49 ft) or more above the ground, but sometimes persist in blow-downs. They can form dense clumps covering canopy trees such as Quercus and Drimys.[2]

References
  1. Sicence, Kew. "Maianthemum amoenum (H.L.Wendl.) LaFrankie". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  2. LaFrankie (October 1986). "Morphology and taxonomy of the new world species of Maianthemum (Liliaceae)". Journal of the Arnold Arboretum. 67 (4): 371-439.
  3. Botanical Gardens, Missouri. "Maianthemum amoenum (H.L. Wendl.) LaFrankie". Tropicos. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
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