Maianthemum mexicanum

Maianthemum mexicanum is a perennial, terrestrial herb found as an understory species in moist forests.[1] It is endemic to west-central Mexico.[2][3]

Maianthemum mexicanum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Nolinoideae
Genus: Maianthemum
Species:
M. mexicanum
Binomial name
Maianthemum mexicanum
García Arév.

Description

Plants grow 31–60 cm (12–24 in) tall[1] tall from branching rhizomes. Roots are set along the rhizome. Stems are erect and grow in a zig-zag pattern. They are usually hairless but there may be small hairs on the ribs.

Leaves

There are usually 6-10 leaves 6.5–13 cm (3–5 in) long by 2–5.3 cm (1–2 in) wide, sessile or with short petioles. Leaf blades are hairless, lance- to egg-shaped with pointed tips and rounded to tapered bases. The upper surface is green, the lower glaucous.

Flowering clusters

Up to 110 flowers are set on an elongated panicle, that becomes diffusely branched in at maturity. The main axis is 6 cm long. Short side branches (<1 cm long) have 4-10 flowers each.[1]

Flowers and fruits

The flowers are yellowish-white, set on 0.7 to 1.5 mm long pedicels that have small, conical hairs. Tepals are ascending, inconspicuous and about 1 mm long. Stamens are inserted at the tepal bases. Fruits are rounded, 5–7 mm across, ripening to reddish brown.

Distribution

Maianthemum mexicanum is reported from the west-central Mexican states of Sinaloa and Durango.[2]

Habitat and ecology

In Durango it has been found in wet hillside Pseudotsuga - Abies forests from 2800 to 2850 m elevation.[1]

Similar species

Maianthemum racemosum is similar, but it has a panicle that is pyramidal in shape, with well-developed secondary axes mostly longer than 1 cm long. The panicle of M. mexicanum has an elongated main axis with short side branches, usually <1 cm long.

References
  1. García-Arévalo. 1992. Maianthemum mexicanum una Nueva Especie de Durang. Acta Botánica Mexicana (1992), 17:19-2
  2. Botanical Gardens, Missouri. "Maianthemum mexicanum García Arév". Tropicos. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  3. Espejo Serna, Adolfo (2012). "El endemismo en las Liliopsida mexicanas". Acta Bot. Mex. 100: 195–257. Retrieved 4 April 2021.

Bibliography

García-Arévalo. 1992. Maianthemum mexicanum una Nueva Especie de Durang. Acta Botánica Mexicana (1992), 17:19-2

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