Maianthemum canadense Desf.

Canada mayflower, false lily-of-the-valley

About plant names...

Canada mayflower is a common native of Canada and the northern United States. It is also called false lily of the valley. It is a true lily, but so named because it differs from lily of the valley. The genus Maianthemum means "flowers in May," although the actual bloom date depends on the climate.

Plants: Up to 3-6″ (7.6-15 cm) in height. They emerge early in the spring, poking through pine needles, first as a single leaf, with one or two more leaves appearing later. They often form extensive colonies, carpeting vast areas of the forest floor.

Leaves: Up to 3″ (7.6 cm) long, with many parallel veins. They are roughly heart-shaped.

Flowers: In the center, a thick stalk rises, covered with a group of tightly clustered white flowers. The flowers look a bit like tiny pin-cushions, with stamens seemingly pointing in all directions. If you look closely, flowers consist of four parts. Each flower is less than ¼″ (6.3 mm) in diameter.

Fruits: A cluster of berries, hard, green or gold-colored, with red-brown dots, 1/16-3/16″ (3-5 mm) in diameter. They become dull red and soft, and contain two seeds.

5/19/2017 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Brown Lane, Self-guided Nature Trail, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

5/23/2016 · Wildflower Trail, Beaver Brook C, Hollis, New Hamp­shire

7/11/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, near NH Line, Dunstable, Mass­a­chu­setts

It is pretty hard to confuse Canada mayflower (also called false lily of the valley) and “real” lily of the valley:

	You are here Maianthemum canadense	Convallaria majalis
Common Name	Canada mayflower	lily of the valley
Plant	3-6″ (7.6-15 cm) high	6-12″ (15-30 cm) high
Flowers	Flowers are less than ¼″ (6.3 mm), with four parts, stamens seemingly sticking out in all directions, on upright stems.	5-15 white, bell-shaped flowers hanging along the length of the flowering stalk. Flowers are usually white, rarely pink.
Leaves	One to three leaves, heart-shaped, 2-5″ (5-12 cm) long × 1-2″ (2.5-5 cm) wide.	One or two long, narrow leaves about 4-10″ (10-25 cm), with tapering, sharp tips and parallel veins.
Fruit	Note young fruits (left) and mature fruits. Green or bronze at first, with dark red or brown spots, about 1/16-3/16″ (3-5 mm) in diameter, becoming soft and dull red.	Berries are orange-red, ⅛-¼″ (5-7 mm) in diameter.
Range/ Zones		USDA Zones: 3-8
Habitats	Rich woods, damp mossy woods, in partial shade	Shaded forest floors in temperate regions
Type	Wild	Wild
Occurrence	Common	Common

Online References:

Illinois Wildflowers

Earl J.S. Rook's Flora, Fauna, Earth, and Sky ... The Natural History of the Northwoods

Plants.ces.ncsu.edu

BorealForest.org

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Minnesota Wildflowers

The USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database

EFloras

5/24/2021 · Long Reach Preserve, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 6 × 9″ (15 × 22 cm)

5/4/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)

8/18/2010 · J. Harry Rich Woods, off Nod Rd., Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

5/23/2021 · Widgeon Cove, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 3½ × 6″ (9.4 × 14 cm)

4/27/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm)

Maianthemum canadense description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 28 Aug 2021.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.

5/18/2013 · Oak Hill, Littleton Conservation Land, Littleton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)

8/5/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm)

8/27/2010 · Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm)

Buds. · 5/2/2010 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)

Colonies are usually less dense. · 5/9/2016 · Wonder Brook Park, Kennebunk Land Trust, Kennebunk, Maine

9/14/2009 · Near Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 14 × 9″ (35 × 23 cm)

Range:

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