Maianthemum tatsienense

Maianthemum tatsienense, sometimes called Chinese False Solomon's Seal, is part of a group of perennial rhizomatous plants related to Lily of the Valley and Solomon's Seal, also known as Smilacina. This species tatsienense, native to China, forms a carpet of fairly tall foliage, which is adorned in spring with clusters of greenish star-shaped flowers, followed by clusters of bright orange fruits. It is decorative in summer and autumn. It is a very hardy plant that spreads easily in the humus of the undergrowth, eventually forming an elegant and low-maintenance ground cover, ideal on the edge of the undergrowth or under large deciduous trees in a natural garden.

Maianthemum tatsienense belongs to the Asparagaceae family. It is native to China, Bhutan, and India, where it is found on the edge of forests, growing in humus-rich and moist soils. It is an herbaceous perennial plant with deciduous growth that starts in spring and disappears in winter. It eventually forms a beautiful clump of leafy stems 50 to 60cm (20 to 24in) tall and at least 80cm (32in) wide, depending on the richness of the soil it grows in. Once established, it requires no maintenance except for regular watering in dry summers.

In spring, arched stems emerge from the stump. They are tinted with black-violet and are adorned along their entire length with long lanceolate leaves. The leaves are dark green and satin-like on the upper side, slightly pleated and traversed by prominent parallel veins. They are arranged alternately. The flowering takes place in May and June. Clusters of pretty flowers adorned with numerous tiny green or yellowish petals and prominent stamens appear at the tip of the stems. After pollination, small globular berries form. They are initially green and later become bright orange and shiny when ripe. This plant has the same toxicity as Lily of the Valley.

Maianthemum tatsienense is an easy and durable plant when grown in the humus of the undergrowth that it loves. This perennial is not hindered by the competition of tree and bush roots. It is valuable for landscaping those areas of the garden that are often difficult to vegetate. Periwinkles, Geranium macrorrhizum, hellebores, and also toad lilies (Tricyrtis) can precede, accompany, or take over its flowering in filtered light. Its association with Hedychium densiflorum, whose orange flowers accompany its orange berries in the late season, is particularly successful. It can be slightly invasive when its happy.