Maianthemum canadense Desf. var. interius Fernald
Maianthemum canadense Desf. var. pubescens Gates & Ehlers
Unifolium canadense (Desf.) Greene
Maianthemum canadense Desf. Canada mayflower, false lily-of-the-valley
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 5/23/2016 · Wildflower Trail, Beaver Brook C, Hollis, New Hampshire 7/11/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, near NH Line, Dunstable, Massachusetts |
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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 |
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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 |
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Habitats | Rich woods, damp mossy woods, in partial shade | Shaded forest floors in temperate regions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Type | Wild | Wild | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Occurrence | Common | Common |
Online References:
Earl J.S. Rook's Flora, Fauna, Earth, and Sky ... The Natural History of the Northwoods
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
The University of Wisconsin's Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium
The USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database
5/24/2021 · Long Reach Preserve, Harpswell, Maine
≈ 6 × 9" (15 × 22 cm)
5/4/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pepperell, Massachusetts
≈ 6 × 5" (14 × 13 cm)
8/18/2010 · J. Harry Rich Woods, off Nod Rd., Groton, Massachusetts
≈ 5 × 4" (12 × 10 cm)
5/23/2021 · Widgeon Cove, Harpswell, Maine
≈ 3½ × 5" (9.4 × 12 cm)
4/27/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Pepperell, Massachusetts
≈ 9 × 6" (23 × 15 cm)
Maianthemum canadense Desf. var. interius Fernald
Maianthemum canadense Desf. var. pubescens Gates & Ehlers
Unifolium canadense (Desf.) Greene
Maianthemum canadense description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 28 Aug 2021.
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5/18/2013 · Oak Hill, Littleton Conservation Land, Littleton, Massachusetts
≈ 7 × 5" (16 × 13 cm)
8/5/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pepperell, Massachusetts
≈ 8 × 6" (21 × 15 cm)
8/27/2010 · Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hampshire
≈ 8 × 7" (21 × 17 cm)
Buds. · 5/2/2010 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts
≈ 3 × 3½" (8.5 × 9 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: