Maianthemum canadense
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- may-an-the-mum ka-na-DEN-see
- Description
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This wildflower, in its native habitat, grows in colonies in deciduous (broad leafed trees that drop leaves in the fall) or mixed woods, bog edges, and in some wetland areas. It is a short, 3 to 5 inches, plant that spreads by its rhizomes or creeping roots. It is a perennial with small white flowers during May and June with the fragrant flowers becoming red berries in the fall that are attractive to birds and small mammals such as chipmunks. The short stem is distinctive in that it is not always straight but may have angular bends. This plant likes cool temperatures and moist soils.
The Canada Mayflower, a common name, as is False lily-of-the-valley, needs shade or part shade and moist rich soil to grow well. A damp, mossy wooded area would also work well. It grows well in a range of pH acidic to near neutral soils. It is found naturally in moist forests, especially those at high elevations. Note that the common name False lily-of-the-valley is because it looks so much like the non-native Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis), which is a different plant entirely. This plant is tolerant of heat.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Maianthemum
- Species:
- canadense
- Family:
- Liliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Subarctic America to N. Central & E. Central U.S.A
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- Spotted berry turning dark red during the fall. Small size. Fruits are available August-September
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The small star shaped flowers cluster at the end of the short stem. The Lily family plants often have more petals, this one has only 2 sepals (the green leaflike tight outer covering of a petal), 2 petals, and has 4 stamens, as opposed to the usual 6. The stamens are the pollen producing part of the flower. Flowers bloom May-July
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heat