The common name “May flower” can cause confusion, as it has been applied to several different plant species across different regions and time periods. In North America, the name most prominently refers to the delicate woodland plant known scientifically as Epigaea repens, the Trailing Arbutus. This article will focus on this specific species, exploring its biology, ecological status, and cultural connections within the United States and Canada.
The Primary May Flower: Trailing Arbutus
The Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens) is a low-growing, prostrate shrub belonging to the heath family (Ericaceae). Its genus name, Epigaea, is derived from Greek words meaning “upon the earth,” accurately describing its creeping, mat-forming habit. The woody stems are covered in distinctive rusty-colored hairs, and the plant rarely grows taller than four to six inches.
The foliage consists of dark green, oval-shaped leaves that are thick, leathery, and evergreen, persisting throughout the winter. These resilient leaves feature smooth margins and may have a rounded or heart-shaped base. The plant’s most celebrated feature is its bloom, which appears in clusters at the tips of the branches.
These small, trumpet-shaped flowers, approximately a half-inch across, range in color from pure white to a pale pink. They are highly fragrant, emitting a rich, spicy perfume. The bloom time is early spring, typically beginning in late March or early April and continuing through May, making it one of the first woodland flowers to appear after the snow melts. The flowers are followed by a round, fleshy, whitish berry-like fruit that matures in early summer.
Ecology and Conservation Status
The native range of Epigaea repens spans much of Eastern North America, extending from Newfoundland down to Florida and west to states like Michigan and Mississippi. It thrives in specific, often harsh, woodland environments, particularly favoring dry to moist, acidic soils. The plant is commonly found in sandy or rocky areas with moderate organic matter, often growing under the canopy of pine or mixed forests.
The Trailing Arbutus is notoriously difficult to cultivate, making it a poor candidate for commercial landscaping. Its slow growth rate and sensitivity to environmental shifts mean it does not tolerate disturbance well, whether from flooding, drought, or changes in its delicate soil composition. It is believed that a necessary symbiotic relationship with certain soil fungi, known as a mycorrhizal association, may be a factor in its survival and difficulty in transplanting.
Its vulnerability has led to its decline in many parts of its range. Historically, over-harvesting for its fragrant blossoms contributed significantly to its scarcity. Today, the plant is threatened by habitat destruction from logging, grazing, and residential development. Although it holds a secure global conservation rank, it is listed as protected, rare, or vulnerable in several states where commercial or private picking is prohibited.
Historical and Cultural Significance
The Trailing Arbutus holds a revered place in North American history, particularly in New England, where it is known as the Plymouth Mayflower. Folklore suggests that this plant was the first flower the Pilgrims discovered blooming near Plymouth Rock following their first harsh winter. Finding the fragrant, hardy flower was seen as a sign of hope and the official end of the difficult season for the early settlers.
This historical connection led to the plant’s designation as the official state flower of Massachusetts in 1918. Similarly, the Trailing Arbutus has been the official floral emblem of Nova Scotia since 1901, where it is also simply called the Mayflower. Its appearance in late winter or early spring has cemented its symbolism as a harbinger of warmer weather and natural resilience.
Beyond its symbolism for settlers, the plant was valued for its medicinal properties by various Indigenous groups. The Algonquin people, the Cherokee, and the Iroquois all utilized the plant.
- The Algonquin prepared an infusion from the leaves to treat kidney disorders.
- The Cherokee used a decoction of the whole plant to treat abdominal pains and childhood diarrhea.
- The Iroquois utilized it in a compound decoction for ailments such as rheumatism.
- It was also used to assist with labor pains.
Addressing the Confusion: Other Plants Called May Flower
In Eastern North America, the name “May flower” sometimes refers to Maianthemum canadense, known as Canada Mayflower or False Lily-of-the-valley. This is a low-growing perennial herb, not a woody shrub, that spreads by underground rhizomes and has bright green leaves. It is easily differentiated from the Trailing Arbutus by its herbaceous habit.
The Canada Mayflower produces a terminal cluster of tiny, star-shaped, white flowers on a stem that rises above its one to three leaves, typically blooming in May or June. Its small, non-tubular flowers lack the characteristic spicy fragrance of the Arbutus. Although they share a common habitat in acidic woodlands, they belong to entirely different plant families.
In Britain and Europe, the name “May flower” or “May blossom” almost exclusively refers to the Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). The Hawthorn is a thorny, deciduous tree or large shrub that bursts into a profusion of white or pale pink blossoms in the middle of May. Its common name is a direct reference to the month of its flowering. The Hawthorn’s size and structure make it botanically distinct from the low-creeping Trailing Arbutus.