Flower ID: IMG_0275.JPG-05-31-2018 Flower name (scientific): Maianthemum canadense Desfontaines PY: 1807. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) may-AN-the-mum (or ma-AN-the-mum) ka-na-DEN-see Flower name (common): Canada Mayflower Family name (common): Butcher's Broom Family name (scientific): Ruscaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Greek Maius for May and anthemon for flower, based on the blooming season. Specific epithet: From or of Canada. Common name origin: From the native habitat. Mayflower is used to denote a number of different plants that flower in May. Flower description: Size: 0.2 to 0.4 inches (0.5 to 1.0 cm) Petal count: 4 Color: white Other: flower arrangement, Raceme Plant description: Size: 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple Size: Leaves up to 8 cm long and 5 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, proximal ovate, distal cordate (FNA) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): May to June Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Woods, forests, meadows, thickets, shade or part shade, moist. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Click for pollinator information on this flower. Similar species (if any): No close lookalikes. Ethnobotany: The Ojibwe used this plant as a remedy for sore throat, headaches, and as a kidney aid during pregnancy. The plant was also utilized to make smoke for inhalation for unspecified reasons (Smith, pp. 373-374, 1932). The Potawatomi used this plant as a medicine to treat a sore throat and they utilized the berries as a food source. They also employed the root as a good luck charm (Smith, pp. 59-60, 106, 123, 1933). Latitude: 44.794850 Longitude: -91.487133 Altitude: 217.80 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY) In Canada: (AB, BC, LB, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na