Feathery False Lily Of The Valley
Maianthemum racemosum
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, Prince Edward I., United States
Robert Flogaus-Faust
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Genus:
- Maianthemum
- Species:
- Maianthemum racemosum
- USDA Symbol:
- MARA7
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Archips purpurana
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers shaded or semi-shaded areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 60–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–365 days
- Notes:
- Seeds have double dormancy requiring warm stratification followed by cold stratification. Germination can be erratic and may take over a year.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are cold-warm-cold stratified
Establishment: M. racemosum ssp. racemosum is found within temperate deciduous and coniferous forests of North America.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow immediately, Either the viability of these seeds is short or the species propagates best with fresh seed. Stored seed might be coaxed into germination with temperature cycling and patience. Use repeated cycles of 20°C, then 4°C for 3 months each. Germination is very prolonged. * hydrophilic, place in moist sand in shade x 1 year; sow as soon as radicle appears