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Common Name: Mayflower

General Information

Epigaea repens is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 0.10 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eastern N. America - Newfoundland to Florida and west to Tennessee, Ohio and Michigan.

Habitat

Damp mossy banks in sandy and peaty woods and clearings[, ], usually under pine trees[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.10 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires an open lime-free humus-rich soil and shade from direct sunlight[, , ]. Grows well in the shade of other calcifuge plants such as rhododendrons and also under pine trees[].
A very cold-hardy plant but it is often excited into premature growth by mild winter weather and is then subject to damage by frost[]. The flower buds require a period of chilling to about 2°c before they will open[]. The flowers are deliciously and strongly scented[] with a rich spicy perfume[].
There are some named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[].
A difficult plant to grow in cultivation[] and very hard to transplant successfully[]. Another report says that although the genus is generally difficult to cultivate, this species is relatively easy to grow[].

Edible Uses

Flowers - raw. Fragrant, with a spicy slightly acid flavour[], they are eaten as a wayside nibble or are added to salads[]. Thirst quenching[].

Medicinal

Mayflower is rarely used medicinally, even in folk medicine, though it is a strong urinary antiseptic and is one of the most effective remedies for cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis, bladder stones and particularly acute catarrhal cystitis[].
The leaves are astringent, diuretic and tonic[, ]. An infusion is made from the dried leaves, or a tincture from the fresh leaves[]. A tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of kidney disorders, stomach aches, bladder disorders etc[]. It is of special value when the urine contains blood or pus[]. Use with caution, the plant contains arbutin and, although this is an effective urinary disinfectant, it hydrolyzes to hydroquinone which is toxic[].
The leaves can be used fresh or can be harvested in the summer and dried for later use[, ].

Other Uses

Plants can be grown for ground cover, they should be spaced about 25cm apart each way and form a carpet of growth[]. This species is probably not very worthwhile for ground cover in Britain because of its difficulty to cultivate[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a shady position in a cold frame[]. Another report says that the seed requires no pre-treatment and can be sown in late winter in a cold frame[]. Surface sow and place the pot in light shade, do not allow it to dry out[]. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 5 weeks[]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, pot up the seedlings into individual pots. Be very careful since they strongly resent root disturbance. Grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse and plant them out in their permanent positions in the late spring of their second years growth.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[].Take the cutting with a part of the previous year's growth[]. (This report is unclear as to whether it means a heel of older wood or just a small section of older wood[])
Plants self-layer and can be divided in the spring but this must be done with great care since they deeply resent root disturbance[].