Starry False Lily Of The Valley
Maianthemum stellatum
- Native to:
- Canada, Labrador, Mexico, Prince Edward I., United States
LoJallen
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Genus:
- Maianthemum
- Species:
- Maianthemum stellatum
- USDA Symbol:
- MAST4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from rhizomes following fire; tolerates moderate fire regimes in forest understory and woodland habitats.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, well-drained sandy loam
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers shaded woodland environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–365 days
- Notes:
- Germination can be slow and erratic; seeds may take up to a year to germinate even after proper stratification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Rhizome cuttings of 20 cm in length are taken in late June after flowering. These cuttings are then placed in a heated vermiculite propagation bed for 1 year.
Establishment: There is an alternative protocol using seeds with cold moist stratification for 71 to 122 days, but it does not provide a germination rate. The rhizome cutting method has a 100% germination rate, hence it is preferred.
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, dried seed unlikely to germinate