Maianthemum canadense Desf. Maianthemum canadense Desf. var. interius Fernald Maianthemum canadense Desf. var. pubescens Gates & Ehlers Unifolium canadense (Desf.) Greene 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. Identification: These plants are 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 carpet extensive areas of the forest floor. Leaves are up to 3" (7.6 cm) long, with many parallel veins. They are roughly heart-shaped. In the center, a think 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. Fruit is a cluster of berries, hard, green or bronze-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 Conservation Area, 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:
Maianthemum canadense at Illinois Wildflowers
Maianthemum canadense on Earl J.S. Rook's Flora, Fauna, Earth, and Sky ... The Natural History of the Northwoods
Maianthemum canadense on plants.ces.ncsu.edu
Maianthemum canadense on BorealForest.org
Maianthemum canadense at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Maianthemum canadense at Minnesota Wildflowers
Maianthemum canadense on the USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database
Maianthemum canadense on eFloras
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
≈ 6 × 4" (15 × 10 cm)
4/27/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Pepperell, Massachusetts
≈ 9 × 6" (23 × 15 cm)
5/18/2013 · Oak Hill, Littleton Conservation Land, Littleton, Massachusetts
≈ 8 × 5" (19 × 13 cm)
Maianthemum canadense description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 16 Sep 2020.
© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.
8/5/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pepperell, Massachusetts
≈ 9 × 6" (23 × 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: