Maianthemum dilatatum
False lily of the valley
(c) J Brew, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Ruscaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Maianthemum dilatatum (False lily of the valley) is a native California herb in the Ruscaceae family, recognized by leaf number/shape, flower parts (4 vs 6), and petiole presence.
False lily of the valley is a California native perennial found in western Northwest California and Central Coast bioregions in moist, shady conifer forests at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white flowers in racemes 2 to 8 centimeters long with 10 to 50 small blooms. Growing with slender rhizomes and erect stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, it spreads slowly across forest floors. Its leaves are large and heart-shaped, typically 2 to 3 per stem, measuring 5 to 20 centimeters long with smooth edges and sparse hairs underneath. The fruit is a bright red berry approximately 6 millimeters in diameter, containing brown seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by leaf number/shape, flower parts (4 vs 6), and petiole presence
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist, shady, conifer forest
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: Humboldt, Del Norte, Marin, San Mateo, Mendocino, Sonoma, Alameda, Napa
Outside California: to Alaska, Idaho
Bloom period
Maianthemum dilatatum blooms May-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Prosartes: Maianthemum has terminal flower clusters; Prosartes has flowers dangling from leaf axils beneath foliage.; vs Polygonatum: Maianthemum flowers in upright terminal clusters; Polygonatum flowers dangle below arching stems from leaf axils.; vs Epipactis: Maianthemum has simple star-shaped flowers; Epipactis has distinctive orchid flowers with lip and hood.; vs Veratrum: Maianthemum stays knee-high with tiny flowers; Veratrum towers overhead with large pleated leaves.; vs Streptopus: Maianthemum flowers in terminal clusters; Streptopus flowers hang singly from bent stalks beneath leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Maianthemum dilatatum native to California?
Yes. Maianthemum dilatatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Maianthemum dilatatum bloom?
Maianthemum dilatatum blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Maianthemum dilatatum grow?
Maianthemum dilatatum occurs in Humboldt, Del Norte, Marin, San Mateo, Mendocino, Sonoma, Alameda, Napa, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Maianthemum dilatatum belong to?
Maianthemum dilatatum is in the Ruscaceae family, genus Maianthemum.
What habitat does Maianthemum dilatatum grow in?
Maianthemum dilatatum grows in Moist, shady, conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.