The term “Mayflower” refers to both a sailing vessel and a distinct plant species. Understanding the context helps clarify that one of these meanings indeed points to a true flower, while the other symbolizes a significant journey.
The Botanical Mayflower: A True Flower
The plant known as the Mayflower is scientifically identified as Epigaea repens. It is also commonly called trailing arbutus or ground laurel. This low-growing evergreen subshrub features woody stems that typically creep along the forest floor, often hidden beneath leaf litter and mosses. Its leaves are stout, wrinkled, and leathery, providing year-round greenery.
In early spring, Epigaea repens produces clusters of small, fragrant flowers. These blossoms, half an inch across, range in color from white to pale pink and have a tubular shape with five spreading lobes. The plant thrives in acidic, sandy, or peaty soils found in damp, mossy woodlands, often growing under pine or oak trees. While its main bloom time is April to early May, flowering can occur from February to July depending on the specific region.
The Mayflower holds a special place in regional symbolism. It was designated the state flower of Massachusetts in 1918 and also serves as the floral emblem of Nova Scotia. The plant is challenging to cultivate and is becoming rare in some areas, due to habitat loss and its sensitivity to disturbance. Historically, various Native American tribes, including the Algonquin, Cherokee, and Iroquois, utilized the plant for medicinal purposes, such as treating kidney disorders, abdominal pains, and diarrhea.
The Historical Mayflower: A Ship’s Legacy
The other ‘Mayflower’ is the historic English sailing ship that made a voyage in 1620. This merchant vessel transported a group of English settlers, now known as the Pilgrims, across the Atlantic. The journey, which lasted 66 days, carried 102 passengers and 30 crew members from England to the New World.
The ship first made landfall near Cape Cod in November 1620, eventually leading to the establishment of Plymouth Colony in present-day Massachusetts. This event became a foundational moment in American history, symbolizing the arrival of European settlers and the beginning of new communities. Before disembarking, the Pilgrims drafted the Mayflower Compact, an agreement that established a framework for self-governance in their new settlement.
The common name ‘Mayflower’ for the plant is linked to the ship’s journey, as settlers were cheered by its early spring blooms after their first New England winter. This association created a symbolic connection between the ship and the plant as emblems of new beginnings in the New World. The ship itself was likely named after the hawthorn, a different plant also referred to as ‘mayflower’ in Britain.