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(Maianthemum bifolium var.yakushimense.)
An astonishingly widespread species from Russia, China and Japan, through Europe to North America.
The form from Yakushima is tiny, no more than two inches tall. Tiny little clusters of white flowers. I got it from Oakdene Nursery (now gone) and I have no description from them but Farmyard Nursery say: "A really cute relation of the ‘Solomons Seal’. Small rounded leaves bear clusters of tiny creamy white flowers duringf the spring. Prefers a semi shaded or shady site in peaty soil. A collectors rarity. Height 2.5cm (1″) CAUTION toxic if eaten." Writing in the Bulletin of the Alpine Garden Society about the Southport Show, Clare Brightman says: "The appropriately named May Lily, Maianthemum bifolium, can be found in subalpine woodland over much of Europe with its charming racemes of starry white flowers. On the showbench, however, we saw a fascinating Japanese microform, M. b. var. yakushimanum, smaller and tighter in both leaf and flower. The five year old plant had originated from David Sampson's nursery and, whilst slow growing, has proved free flowering in a shallow pan of leafmould and grit." |
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| 7th May 2005 | ||
