The concept of “Mayflower” describes several plants recognized for their appearance early in the spring season. This common name is not limited to a single species, as local flora often determines which flower earns the designation across different regions. For a general audience, the focus is often on the botanical properties and historical significance of the North American variety. This article explores the biology and cultural context of the plant most commonly known as the Mayflower in the United States, the Trailing Arbutus.
Understanding the Name Ambiguity
The name “Mayflower” causes confusion because it is applied to at least two distinct botanical groups and is also the name of the famous ship. The European “Mayflower” is a common name for the Hawthorn tree, belonging to the genus Crataegus, a plant native to the Old World. These trees produce white or pink blossoms in the spring and were the likely inspiration for the name of the Mayflower vessel that brought the Pilgrims to North America.
The North American Mayflower is a completely different species, Epigaea repens, which is a low-growing evergreen shrub. Its name became associated with the ship because the Pilgrims, after surviving their first harsh winter, are thought to have seen this fragrant flower as one of the first signs of spring.
The Biology of the Trailing Arbutus
The Trailing Arbutus, Epigaea repens, is an evergreen subshrub belonging to the Ericaceae family, which also includes blueberries and cranberries. Its genus name, Epigaea, literally translates to “upon the earth,” accurately describing its prostrate, sprawling growth habit. The plant’s woody stems trail along the ground, often hidden beneath forest litter and mosses.
Its leaves are alternate, simple, and evergreen, possessing a leathery, wrinkled texture. The leaf margins are smooth, and the twigs and petioles are covered in distinctive rust-colored hairs. This species is slow-growing and requires highly specific environmental conditions to thrive.
Epigaea repens prefers moist, shady habitats with highly acidic, sandy, or peaty soils, often found in association with coniferous forests of white pine and hemlock. The plant is extremely sensitive to disturbance and is notoriously difficult to transplant, largely due to its delicate and shallow root system.
The flowers appear in dense clusters at the ends of the branches, blooming from late March through early May. These flowers are pentamerous, meaning they have five parts, with a slender, tubular corolla that spreads into five equal lobes. They range in color from pale pink to nearly white and emit a strong, rich, spicy fragrance. The plant relies on insects for pollination. It uses a unique method of seed dispersal called myrmecochory, where ants carry the seeds due to the soft, placental tissue attached to them.
Cultural History and Conservation Status
The Trailing Arbutus holds a significant place in American cultural history, particularly in the state of Massachusetts. It was officially designated as the state flower in 1918 after a state-wide vote by schoolchildren, who chose it over the water lily. The flower’s association with the Pilgrims cemented its status as a symbol of endurance and the arrival of spring after winter hardship.
The plant has a long history of human use, as various Native American groups, including the Cherokee and Iroquois, utilized it medicinally. They prepared it to treat ailments such as kidney and digestive issues. However, the Mayflower’s popularity led to its over-collection for garlands and wreaths, severely impacting wild populations.
Due to its specific habitat requirements and vulnerability, Epigaea repens has become increasingly rare across its range. Massachusetts recognized this decline and amended the state statute in 1925 to protect the endangered plant. It is now illegal to pull up or injure the plant on public or private land without permission, with fines imposed for violations. This protection underscores the challenges the species faces from habitat loss and the difficulty inherent in cultivating it.