Canada Mayflower

(Maianthemum canadense)

 

   

 

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Canada Mayflower (Maianthemum canadense Desf.)

Identification: Flowers white to slightly greenish white in a terminal spike. Flowers with four narrow, pointed petals. Berries white with spots, turning pale red with age. Leaves two, rarely three per plant, broad. Base of leaf heart-shaped with ends surrounding stem. Plant 3 to 6 inches in height.

Distribution: Across Canada and southward in the east to Georgia and in the west to Nebraska and Wyoming.

Habitat: Canada Mayflower is found in forest or forest clearings.

Flowering period: May to July.

Similar Species: Canada Mayflower is most likely to be confused with Three-leaved False Solomon Seal. The flowers of the latter species have 6 petals not 3. The flower spike is more diffuse and the leaf bases taper and wrap around the stem.

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