Maianthemum canadense (Canada Mayflower)

Maianthemum canadense

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

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Magnoliophyta	Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class	Liliopsida	Monocots (plants with a single seed leaf); includes the lily family
Subclass	Liliidae	Includes lilies, orchids, and many others
Order	Asparagales	A diverse group that includes asparagus
Family	Asparagaceae	Agaves, asparagus, hyacinths, and others
Genus	Maianthemum	From Greek for “May flower,” for the blooming season
Species	canadense	“Of or from Canada”

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.

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, NH
≈ 6 × 4" (15 × 10 cm)

5/23/2016 · Wildflower Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, NH

7/11/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, near NH Line, Dunstable, MA
≈ 10 × 7" (26 × 17 cm)

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:

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 the University of Wisconsin's Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium

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, MA
≈ 6 × 5" (14 × 13 cm)

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

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

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

Maianthemum canadense description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

8/5/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pepperell, MA
≈ 9 × 6" (23 × 15 cm)

8/27/2010 · Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, NH
≈ 8 × 7" (21 × 17 cm)

Buds. · 5/2/2010 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, MA
≈ 3 × 3½" (8.5 × 9 cm)

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

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

Range:

About this map...