Maianthemum amoenum
| Maianthemum amoenum | |
|---|---|
Scientific 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] | |
| |
Maianthemum amoenum is a perennial flowering plant, growing as an epiphyte on trees in cloud forests[2] from Mexico south to Honduras.[1]
Description
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]- ^ a b Sicence, Kew. "Maianthemum amoenum (H.L.Wendl.) LaFrankie". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
- ^ a b LaFrankie (October 1986). "Morphology and taxonomy of the new world species of Maianthemum (Liliaceae)". Journal of the Arnold Arboretum. 67 (4): 371-439.
- ^ Botanical Gardens, Missouri. "Maianthemum amoenum (H.L. Wendl.) LaFrankie". Tropicos. Retrieved 2 April 2021.