Maianthemum dilatatum

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Maianthemum dilatatum

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Liliopsida
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Ruscaceae
Genus:	Maianthemum
Species:	M. dilatatum

Binomial name

Maianthemum dilatatum
(Alph.Wood) A.Nelson & J.F.Macbride

Maianthemum dilatatum (Snakeberry, Two-leaved Solomon's Seal or Wild Lily of the Valley) is a common rhizomatous flowering plant in the family Ruscaceae. M. dilatatum has a very extensive range; from Oregon, northern California. to Alaska, through the Aleutian islands, then further west to Russia, Japan, and Korea. It grows in coastal temperate rainforests, and is often the dominant groundcover plant in Sitka Spruce forests.

M. dilatatum, Squak Mountain State Park, Issaquah, Washington

They have usually one waxy leaf that is smooth and shiny, 6-10 cm long and 5-8 cm broad, hence its scientific name (dilatatum means broad). On plants that are flowering, 2 or 3 leaves are produced oppositely up the stems. The flowers are star shaped and white in color. After fertilization the fruits produced are berries 6 mm in diameter that are speckled red when immature and redden with age and each has from 1 to 4 seeds. The flowers have 4 tepals, 4 stamens and have 2 chambers in the pistil. This species, along with Maianthemum bifolium and Maianthemum canadense are the only 4-tepaled species in their genus. The flowers are pollinated by insects.

It has many ethnobotanical uses, among them the berries can be used as food, although they are not especially tasty. Other aboriginal uses of the plant include the treatment of cuts, sore eyes, internal injuries and sterility.

Being extremely tolerant to deep shade, drought, and extensive watering, the plant is becoming more popular as a shaded groundcover in gardening. Care should be taken when using them in gardens as the plants will quickly escape confines with its creeping rhizomes and may crowd out other plants.