(Convallariaceae)
Maianthemum gigas  BSWJ10470

Description

A memorable species which we had been searching for some time, when suddenly we were surrounded by gigantic clumps of it at high altitude (3333m) on Cordillera de Talamanca in Costa Rica in the autumn of 2004. Arising from distinctly knobbly rhizomes, sturdy arching reddish-purple stems to 2m long, with long elliptic alternate leaves to 30cm, with large terminal panicles consisting of long side stalks bearing hundreds of white flowers with contrasting purple ovaries. Best grown in a warm situation in sun to light shade or a container in a well drained soil with some moisture retention protecting the roots from severe frost.