Maianthemum canadense Desf.

Canada mayflower, false lily-of-the-valley

Canada mayflower is a common native of Canada and the northern United States. It is also called false lily of the valley. It is a true lily, but so named because it differs from lily of the valley. The genus Maianthemum means “flowers in May,” although the actual bloom date depends on the climate.

Plants: Up to 3–6″ (7.6–15 cm) in height. They emerge early in the spring, poking through pine needles, first as a single leaf, with one or two more leaves appearing later. They often form extensive colonies, carpeting vast areas of the forest floor.

Leaves: Up to 3″ (7.6 cm) long, with many parallel veins. They are roughly heart-shaped.

Flowers: In the center, a thick stalk rises, covered with a group of tightly clustered white flowers. The flowers look a bit like tiny pin-cushions, with stamens seemingly pointing in all directions. If you look closely, flowers consist of four parts. Each flower is less than ¼″ (6.3 mm) in diameter.

Fruits: A cluster of berries, hard, green or gold-colored, with red-brown dots, 1/16–3/16″ (3–5 mm) in diameter. They become dull red and soft, and contain two seeds.

Habitats: Rich woods, damp mossy woods, in partial shade.

It is pretty hard to confuse lily of the valley and Canada mayflower, also called false lily of the valley.

Online References:

Older scientific or horticultural names

Maianthemum canadense description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

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