Maianthemum stellatum (L.) Link

Plants terrestrial, 15–45 cm. Rhizomes sympodial, proliferatively spreading, narrow-cylindrical, units 15–60 cm × 3–4.5 mm, roots scattered over surfaces. Stems erect, 2.5–5 dm × 2–3.5 mm. Leaves 8–11, sessile, clasping; blade ovate-elliptic to lanceolate, 5–6 × 2.5–3.5 cm; base rounded; apex acute. Inflorescences racemose, simple, 6–15-flowered. Flowers 1 per node, 3-merous; tepals conspicuous, 4–5 × 1.5–2 mm; filaments 1.2–1.5 mm; anthers 0.6–0.8 mm; ovary globose to cylindrical, ca. 1 mm wide; style 1.3–1.8 mm; stigma obscurely 3-lobed; pedicel 6–12 × 0.8–1 mm. Berries green with black stripes along median carpel vein when young, maturing to red, globose, 4–6 mm diam. Seeds 1–6, globose, 2.5–3 mm. 2n = 36.

Sand dunes, marginal woodlands, oak openings; at elevations from sea level to 3,200 metres. Woods, thickets and open meadows, on gravelly and alluvial soils.

The fruit are chewed and the juice swallowed. The fruit are eaten preferably cooked.

Can be grown by divisions or seedlings.