Maianthemum mexicanum
| Maianthemum mexicanum | |
|---|---|
Scientific 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.
| |
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]
Description
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]Maianthemum mexicanum is reported from the west-central Mexican states of Sinaloa and Durango.[2]
Habitat and ecology
[edit]In Durango it has been found in wet hillside Pseudotsuga - Abies forests from 2800 to 2850 m elevation.[1]
Similar species
[edit]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
[edit]- ^ a b c d García-Arévalo. 1992. Maianthemum mexicanum una Nueva Especie de Durang. Acta Botánica Mexicana (1992), 17:19-2
- ^ a b Botanical Gardens, Missouri. "Maianthemum mexicanum García Arév". Tropicos. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
- ^ Espejo Serna, Adolfo (2012). "El endemismo en las Liliopsida mexicanas". Acta Bot. Mex. 100: 195–257. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
Bibliography
[edit]García-Arévalo. 1992. Maianthemum mexicanum una Nueva Especie de Durang. Acta Botánica Mexicana (1992), 17:19-2