Species › Plants › Canada Mayflower

Canada Mayflower

Maianthemum canadense

CommonPlant
Illustration of Canada Mayflower (Maianthemum canadense)

Canada Mayflower is a tiny but abundant ground cover of northern forests, forming extensive colonies from underground rhizomes. Its small spikes of white flowers appear in May and develop into speckled red berries by late summer. It is one of the most characteristic plants of the boreal and northern hardwood forest floor.

Habitat
Acidic forest floors and rocky woodland trails across the northern boreal zone
Diet
Berries eaten by thrushes, grouse, and small mammals
How common
Common

Best time to see a Canada Mayflower

The best time to see a Canada Mayflower is May–June, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 54,453 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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