Latin Mai – May and anthemos – a flower, referring to the Northern Hemisphere flowering time for this genus.
Perennial, rhizomatous sometimes herbs. Stems erect, unbranched. Leaves several, broadly linearlanceolate, sometimes stalked. Flowers star to bell-shaped, spreading, radially symmetrical, stalked, individual flower stalks not articulated, flowers sometimes unisexual. Inflorescence a terminal raceme or panicle. Tepals 6, free. Stamens 6, attached to tepal bases. Ovary superior. Fruit a berry. Seeds ovoid, yellow-brown. Syn. Smilacina Desf.
About 35 species in the temperate Northern Hemisphere.
Leafy stems with terminal inflorescences of free-tepalled flowers; berry fruits.
Ingram (1966b), LaFrankie (1986).
Source: (2005). Convallariaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.