False Lily-of-the-valley Maianthemum canadense

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.