Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 2769435

Western Lily of the Valley

Maianthemum dilatatum

Also known as False Lily-of-the-Valley, Two-leaved Solomon's Seal, Snakeberry

Western Lily of the Valley forms dense, carpet-like colonies across the mossy floor of coastal temperate rainforests. Its glossy, heart-shaped leaves yield delicate spikes of tiny, star-like white flowers in late spring, followed by speckled berries that ripen to deep red. Spread largely by creeping underground rhizomes, it plays a vital role in stabilizing damp soils beneath old-growth conifers.

RainforestShade-lovingPerennial
Western Lily of the Valley reference1 / 7
Licensed referenceWalter Siegmund (talk) / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Autotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
  • Slugs
  • Snails
  • Black-tailed Deer
ThreatsHabitat destruction, severe wildfires
HabitatsCoastal temperate rainforests, damp woods, streambanks
Life spanPerennial (rhizomes live indefinitely)
Classification
  1. OrderAsparagales
  2. FamilyAsparagaceae
  3. GenusMaianthemum
  4. SpeciesMaianthemum dilatatum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Contains mild toxins and wild berries have dangerous look-alikes; never eat wild plants based on app identification.
Why it is dangerous
Contains saponins that induce gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, and cramping if eaten in quantity.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by glossy heart-shaped leaves, upright spikes of small white flowers, and red speckled berries.
What to do
Observe without picking plants, and keep children and pets away from the berries.
Responsible observation
  • Identifying Leaves: Search for glossy, heart-shaped leaves with parallel veins covering the forest floor.
  • Seasonal Blooms: Look for small white floral spikes during late spring in damp canopy shade.
Related species
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