Description: This native perennial wildflower is 2-8" tall. An infertile shoot usually consists of a single basal leaf, while a fertile shoot consists of a flowering stalk with 2 alternate leaves (less often, there are 3 leaves). Both basal and alternate leaves are similar in appearance, although the former have petioles up to 2" long. The leaves are up to 3" long and 2" across, smooth and slightly ciliate 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 surface is pale green and finely pubescent. Unlike var. interius, the typical variety of Canada Mayflower has leaves without hairs. The base of each alternate leaf is clasping, sessile, or short-petioled. The central stalk is medium green, terete, hairless, and rather stout. At the apex of each flowering stalk, there is a short-cylindrical raceme of flowers about 1-2" long. The flowers typically occur in pairs along the raceme on slender pedicels. Individual flowers have 4 white tepals, 4 stamens with white filaments and pale yellow anthers, and a white to greenish white pistil with a pair of knobby stigmata. The tepals are lanceolate and strongly recurved, fully exposing the reproductive organs. Each flower is a little less than ¼" across.
The blooming period occurs from late
spring to early summer. The flowers are fragrant. During the summer, fertile
flowers are replaced by globoid berries that are individually a little less
than ¼" across. At maturity, these berries are speckled pale red, and
each berry typically contains 2 seeds. The root system is rhizomatous and
fibrous. Vegetative colonies are often formed via the rhizomes. In a typical
colony, infertile shoots usually outnumber flowering fertile
shoots.
Cultivation: The preference
is dappled sunlight to dense shade, moist to slightly dry conditions, high
humidity, and cool temperatures. This wildflower adapts to an acidic soil
containing peat, sand, or rocky material (e.g., sandstone). It doesn't tolerate
much competition from taller plants.
Range
& Habitat: Canada Mayflower is uncommon in Illinois; it is
restricted to the northern section of the state (see
Distribution
Map). Illinois lies at the southern range limit of this largely boreal
species; it is more
common further to the north in the Great Lakes
region and further to the northeast in New England. The western variety of
Canada Mayflower, var. interius, is far more common within the state
than the more eastern typical variety. Habitats include sandy woodlands,
north-facing wooded slopes, shaded bogs, and sandstone ledges along ravines in
wooded areas. In Illinois, Canada Mayflower is associated with high quality
natural areas.
Faunal Associations:
The flowers are pollinated by small bees (Halictid, Andrenid), flies (Syrphid,
Anthomyiid, and Bombyliid), and miscellaneous beetles. No nectar is available
to floral visitors. The bees collect pollen, while the flies and beetles feed
on pollen. The foliage is eaten by the introduced Lilioceris lilii (Lily
Leaf Beetle). The berries are eaten by the Ruffed Grouse, White-Footed Mouse,
and Eastern Chipmunk; these animals (particularly the Ruffed Grouse) help to
spread the seeds into new areas.
Photographic
Location: A sandstone ledge along a wooded ravine at the Fall Creek
Gorge in west-central Indiana. This natural area is also known as 'The
Potholes.'
Comments: This dainty
wildflower resembles a dwarf Smilacina racemosa (False Solomon's Seal)
or a dwarf Smilacina stellata (Starry Solomon's Plume). Unlike the
preceding species, flowering stalks of Canada Mayflower typically have only 2
leaves. Another common name is False Lily-of-the-Valley. Among species of the
Lily family, Canada Mayflower is very unusual in having only 4 tepals and 4
stamens per flower – other plants in this family typically have flowers
with 6 tepals and 6 stamens.