Chinese Maianthemum headache

[TheOnionMan]

It looks like Maianthemum purpureum
but I know this one only from pictures
with brown red leaves when they develop
maybe later they turn green as in many plants

see :  http://www.asianflora.com/Convallariaceae/Maianthemum-purpureum.htm

Roland

Hi Roland,  just had a look at the asianflora site... interesting, but at least with a genus that I'm familiar with such as Allium, a number of species of Allium in their photo gallery are incorrectly identified. Something to keep in mind when viewing a site such as this and depending on the photo IDs. 

[bulborum]

Hello Mark

This is why it is called Maianthemum headache
There are so many wrong names on the road
Like in Allium

Roland

[TheOnionMan]

Hello Mark

This is why it is called Maianthemum headache
There are so many wrong names on the road
Like in Allium

Roland

Exactly! 

[mark smyth]

My new Maianthemum sp. came from Beeches Nursery who were given it from ? who said it was a new specie.

The leaf stems are 5mm and the leaves are elongated hearts 3cm long and 2 cm wide. I have had it a few years but it has never flowered. It lives in a full shade trough with an Adiantum japonicum and Hosta Cats Eye

I'll try to remember to take a photo tomorrow

[arisaema]

How many leaves? How thick are the stems? From your description it sounds like Maianthemum proper, not Smilacina.

Also, looking thru Beeches' price list I noticed a name I had not seen before; Maianthemum chasmanthum. Anyone know what it might be? It's not listed in the Kew Checklist.

[mark smyth]

How many leaves? How thick are the stems? From your description it sounds like Maianthemum proper, not Smilacina.

It wasn't available when I got it. Maybe it is now. I'll email Beeches plantsman later - probably the most knowledgable person I know.

He also gave me a new Anemone nemerosa called 'Super Allenii'

Single leaves with stems 1mm and under

[arisaema]

It sounds very interesting, so I'd love to see a picture of it!

[mark smyth]

Maianthemum

I need to get the liverwort out.

[arisaema]

Thanks, looks like a lovely little species!

Liverwort is a neverending battle here as well, I bought some Mogeton (quinoclamine) this spring, but haven't gotten around to trying it yet.

[bulborum]

Hello Mark

This is the old named Maianthemum
and not  the Smilacina which is brought in to Maianthemum
The botanist who did this was probably drunk or smoked something   
if he doesn't see the difference between 4 or 6 petal
Maianthemum with 4 and Smilacina with 6 petal
But Ok I am just a grower and no botanist so they are right
It depends where your Maianthemum is collected
Europe = bifolium
America Canada = canadense
Asia = kamtchaticum
these are roughly the best possibilities

Roland

[Afloden]

Mark S,

 It seems most likely that your Maianthemum is M. dilatatum, or the form/species formerly known as M. kamtschaticum. It could also be the Yakushima form.

 There was a paper published last year that suggested, based on molecular data, to keep Maianthemum and Smilacina separate. So, the tri- vs. bi-merous floral characters are good morphologic characters. It took the horticultural world about 15 years to catch on to LaFrankie's lumping of the two and now 10 years later molecular data tells us to go back.

 Mark Mc, email Cedric about his identifications. He is usually glad of the help.

 Aaron


   

[manicbotanic]

maianthemum from chen yi.came as japonica!!!!!

[bulborum]

I received the same
not just as S. japonicum
but even as Polygonatum
I don't buy there any more
finally it cost to much for what you get

maybe interesting for botanist
but it gives me to much headache
sorting out what is what

Roland

[Afloden]

The plant in question is M. tatsienense -- a fairly commonly sent species from CY along with M. henryi. To double check try http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=119474

 Roland, for a botanist her plants are outstanding even if some of the practices are considered unethical. A few things from her are new species and others are the only known collections since Wilson's trips in the early 1900's!

 Aaron

[bulborum]

I forgot to mention it was M. tatsiense

I got hundreds of them from here
under the most fantastic names
I hate it if they rip me off
if it is a mistake ,ok
but sending Disporopsis or Maianthemum for Polygonatum
even a simple grower as me recognises this

It was almost the same story as 25 years ago
almost 9 out of 10 packets with seeds from Allium
I got from botanic gardens from all over the world
where Allium cyathophorum var. farreri

It would be nice if she would mention the finding place

What I understand Maianthemum is now Smilacina again
when do they shoot taxonomist 
They should pay the money they make back
when they make stupid mistakes like this

Roland