Transcription factor involved in the negative regulation of flowering time in short days, probably through the photoperiodic and vernalization pathways. Prevents premature flowering, particularly in the cv. Landsberg erecta background. In non-inductive photoperiods (e.g. short days), required for flowering through VIL2-mediated maintenance of the epigenetically repressed state of MAF5 via H3K9me2 and plant homeodomain / polycomb repressive complex 2 (PHD-PRC2)-dependent H3K27me3. Up-regulated by vernalization. Repressed by VIL2, AGL6, CLF, EMF2 and FIE via epigenetic chromatin H3K27me3 and H3K9me2 regulation during the vegetative development. Extended N-terminus. Extended N-terminus. Extended N-terminus. Extended N-terminus.