Canada mayflower

Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense) is in the agave and allies family (Asparagaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 4,088 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.

Nationally it blooms mainly from May to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.

When to photograph Canada mayflower: observations by month (U.S.)

About Canada mayflower

Maianthemum canadense (Canadian may-lily, Canada mayflower, false lily-of-the-valley, Canadian lily-of-the-valley, wild lily-of-the-valley, Two-leaved Solomonseal) is a dominant understory perennial flowering plant, native to the sub-boreal conifer forests in Canada and the northern United States, from Yukon and British Columbia east to Newfoundland and south to Nebraska and Pennsylvania, and also in the Appalachian Mountains to northern Georgia. It can be found growing under both evergreen and deciduous trees.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Canada mayflower by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related wildflowers (agave and allies)

Ithuriel's SpearTriteleia laxa

Blue DicksDipterostemon capitatus

common star-of-BethlehemOrnithogalum umbellatum

Chaparral YuccaHesperoyucca whipplei

Solomon's plumeMaianthemum racemosum

Desert LilyHesperocallis undulata

Small CamasCamassia quamash

OokowDichelostemma congestum

Photography tips

• Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
• Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
• Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
• Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.

FAQ