LILIACEAE

LILY FAMILY

Dale W. McNeal, except as specified

Perennial to trees, from membranous bulb, fibrous corm, scaly rhizome, or erect caudex
Stem generally underground
Leaves generally basal, often withering early, alternate, generally ± linear
Inflorescence various, generally bracted
Flower generally bisexual, generally radial; perianth often showy, segments generally 6 in two petal-like whorls (outer sometimes sepal-like), free or fused at base; stamens 6 (or 3 + generally 3 ± petal-like staminodes), filaments sometimes attached to perianth or fused into a tube or crown; ovary superior or inferior, chambers 3, placentas generally axile, style generally 1, stigmas generally 3
Fruit: generally capsule, loculicidal or septicidal (berry or nut)
Genera in family: ± 300 genera, 4600 species: especially ± dry temp and subtropical; many cultivated for ornamental or food; some TOXIC. Here includes genera sometimes treated in Agavaceae, Amaryllidaceae, and other families.

MAIANTHEMUM

FALSE LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY

Perennial; rhizome slender, creeping
Stem erect, simple; base sheathed by 2 membranous scales
Leaves cauline, alternate, generally 2 (if 3, upper ± bract-like)
Inflorescence: raceme
Flower small; perianth parts 4 in 2 petal-like pairs, white; stamens 4, attached to perianth; ovary superior, chambers 2, style 1, stigma 2-lobed
Fruit: berry
Seeds 1–3
Species in genus: 3 species: n temp
Etymology: (Greek: May flower, from flowering season)

Native

M. dilatatum (A.W. Wood) A. Nelson & J.F. Macbr.

Stem 10–40 cm
Leaf 5–20 cm, 5–10 cm wide, cordate to sagittate; petioles 5–15 cm
Inflorescence 2–8 cm
Flower ± 2.5 mm; stamens < perianth
Fruit ± 6 mm, spheric, red
Seed ± 3 mm, brown
Chromosomes: n=18
Ecology: Moist, shady, coniferous forest
Elevation: < 500 m.
Bioregional distribution: w Northwestern California
Distribution outside California: to Alaska, Idaho
Horticultural information: 4, 5, 17 &SHD: 6 &IRR: 7, 14, 15, 16, 24; deciduous GRCVR; may be INV.