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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Maianthemum canadense [=Unifolium canadense]

Canada Mayflower, False Lily-of-the-valley, Canadian Lily-of-the-valley

Scientific Name:

Maianthemum canadense [=Unifolium canadense]

Genus:

Maianthemum

Species Epithet:

canadense

Common Name:

Canada Mayflower, False Lily-of-the-valley, Canadian Lily-of-the-valley

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Ruscaceae (Ruscus Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Invasive Status:

(*Key)

Size:

0-1 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

White

Light:

Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day, Less than 2 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Moist

Bloom Time:

May, June, July

Growing Area:

Mountains

Habitat Description:

Moist forests, especially at high elevations. Common across most of the NC mountains, at least at the higher elevations.

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Important for Wildlife

Landscape Value:

Not Recommended for home landscapes

State Rank:

S5: Secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Notes:

Difficult to grow outside its cool mountain habitat.

Flowers of Canada Mayflower emerge as a short, compact raceme from 1-3 clasping shiny green leaves. White petals are small. Slightly longer white stamens protrude.

The Scientific Name is Maianthemum canadense [=Unifolium canadense]. You will likely hear them called Canada Mayflower, False Lily-of-the-valley, Canadian Lily-of-the-valley. This picture shows the Flowers of Canada Mayflower emerge as a short, compact raceme from 1-3 clasping shiny green leaves. White petals are small. Slightly longer white stamens protrude. of Maianthemum canadense [=Unifolium canadense]

Will Stuart

Masses of Canada Mayflower along the Flat Rock Trail near Grandfather Mountain, NC

The Scientific Name is Maianthemum canadense [=Unifolium canadense]. You will likely hear them called Canada Mayflower, False Lily-of-the-valley, Canadian Lily-of-the-valley. This picture shows the Masses of Canada Mayflower along the Flat Rock Trail near Grandfather Mountain, NC of Maianthemum canadense [=Unifolium canadense]

Will Stuart

Brightly colored fruits develop by mid-August.

The Scientific Name is Maianthemum canadense [=Unifolium canadense]. You will likely hear them called Canada Mayflower, False Lily-of-the-valley, Canadian Lily-of-the-valley. This picture shows the Brightly colored fruits develop by mid-August. of Maianthemum canadense [=Unifolium canadense]

Senescing flowers with developing fruit.

Julian Price Memorial Park, Watauga Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Maianthemum canadense [=Unifolium canadense]. You will likely hear them called Canada Mayflower, False Lily-of-the-valley, Canadian Lily-of-the-valley. This picture shows the Senescing flowers with developing fruit. of Maianthemum canadense [=Unifolium canadense]

Bettina Darveaux

A very short plant, only 4-6 inches tall.

Julian Price Memorial Park, Watauga Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Maianthemum canadense [=Unifolium canadense]. You will likely hear them called Canada Mayflower, False Lily-of-the-valley, Canadian Lily-of-the-valley. This picture shows the A very short plant, only 4-6 inches tall. of Maianthemum canadense [=Unifolium canadense]

Bettina Darveaux

Typically grows in very dense stands in a relatively small area.

Julian Price Memorial Park, Watauga Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Maianthemum canadense [=Unifolium canadense]. You will likely hear them called Canada Mayflower, False Lily-of-the-valley, Canadian Lily-of-the-valley. This picture shows the Typically grows in very dense stands in a relatively small area. of Maianthemum canadense [=Unifolium canadense]

Bettina Darveaux

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



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