Maianthemum mexicanum
# Maianthemum mexicanum

Maianthemum mexicanum is a perennial, terrestrial herb found as an understory species in moist forests. It is endemic to west-central Mexico.

## Description

Plants grow 31–60 cm (12–24 in) tall 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

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

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.

### Flowers and fruits

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

Maianthemum mexicanum is reported from the west-central Mexican states of Sinaloa and Durango.

## Habitat and ecology

In Durango it has been found in wet hillside Pseudotsuga - Abies forests from 2800 to 2850 m elevation.

## Similar species

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.

