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Asparagaceae
May Lily
Maianthemum bifolium
Return of happiness.
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Genus
- Maianthemum
- Native to
- Europe, Northern Asia
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Type
- herbaceous
- Height
- 4-8 in
- Sunlight
- partial shade to full shade
- Soil
- moist, humus-rich, acidic
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- 3-7
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- Despite its common name, may lily is not a true lily but belongs to the asparagus family.
- Each plant produces just two heart-shaped leaves and a tiny spike of star-shaped white flowers.
- The small red berries that follow the flowers are mildly toxic to humans but are eaten by thrushes and other forest birds.
- The genus name Maianthemum literally means 'May flower' in Greek, reflecting its spring bloom time.
- It is one of the most common woodland wildflowers across northern Eurasia, carpeting forest floors from Britain to Japan.
Color meanings
0
return of happiness
1
sweetness
2
humility