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Canada Beadruby Maianthemum canadense

Phonetic Spelling
may-an-the-mum ka-na-DEN-see
Description

The Canada Mayflower is a flowering, herbaceous perennial wildflower in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae), native to Canada, where it grows in colonies among deciduous trees or mixed woods, bog edges, and in some wetland areas. It is a relatively short, 5 to 8 inch plant that spreads by its rhizomes or creeping roots. It produces small, white, fragrant flowers during May and June. Red berries in the fall 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. The plant has an infertile shoot with a single basal leaf and a fertile shoot with a flowering stalk and 2 to 3 alternate leaves. The genus name comes from the Latin for "May blossom" - an appropriate name because the plant flowers in May. The species means "of Canada".

The Canada Mayflower likes cool temperatures and moist soils and does best in shade or part shade. However, it will tolerate some level of heat. A damp, mossy, wooded area would also work well. It grows well in a range of pH, from acidic to near neutral soils. It is found naturally in moist forests, especially those at high elevations. It can be overshadowed, and blossoms hindered, when surrounded by taller plants.

The common name False lily-of-the-valley is given because the plant looks so much like the non-native Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis), which is a different plant entirely. The root system is rhizomatous and fibrous and vegetative colonies are often formed via the rhizomes. In a typical colony, infertile shoots usually outnumber flowering fertile shoots. It can be used as a mat-forming ground cover.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#NC native#red fruits#pollinator plant#native wildflower#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#bird friendly#mammals#food source soft mast fruit#bee friendly#Audubon#heavy shade tolerant#perennial#wildflower
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#NC native#red fruits#pollinator plant#native wildflower#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#bird friendly#mammals#food source soft mast fruit#bee friendly#Audubon#heavy shade tolerant#perennial#wildflower
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Maianthemum
    Species:
    canadense
    Family:
    Asparagaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Subarctic America, North Central and East Central United States.
    Distribution:
    Canada, south to Georgia, west to Iowa.
    Wildlife Value:
    Berries are eaten by small mammals. Leaves are an important part of the diet of white-tail deer.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Creeping
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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:
    Clay
    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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Small, spotted berries turn dark red from August to September. Berries that are individually a little less than ΒΌ inch across. At maturity, each berry typically contains 2 seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The 1/4 inch star shaped flowers cluster at the end of the short stem. The plant has 2 sepals, 2 petals, and 4 stamens, unlike most lilies that have 6. Flowers bloom May-July. The flowers typically occur in pairs along the raceme on slender pedicels.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Basal and alternate leaves are similar in appearance, although the basal leaves have petioles up to 2 inches long. The leaves are 3 inches long and 2 inches across, smooth (entire) along their margins, and ovate-oblong to oval in shape. Leaf venation is parallel. The upper leaf surface is medium green and glabrous, while the lower leaf surface is pale green and finely pubescent. The base of each alternate leaf is clasping, sessile, or short-petioled. The central stalk is light to medium green, terete, and glabrous or hairy.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Zig Zags
    Stem Description:
    Short, often zigzag stems.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heat