Majanthemum

(also Maianthemum), a genus of plants of the family Liliaceae. They are perennial herbs with slender climbing rhizomes. There are generally two closely situated alternate, cordateovate leaves on the upper part of the stem. The flowers, which are small, white, and fragrant, are gathered in a terminal raceme. The perianth has four segments, and the fruit is a red berry. There are three species, distributed in the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere. Two species, Majanthemum bifolium and M. dilatatum, are found in the USSR. The former often grows in thickets in coniferous and mixed forests and in areas with felled trees. M. dilatatum grows in the Soviet Far East in deciduous forests, on slopes, in glades, and on meadows. The fruits of both species are edible.