Common Name: Canada Beadruby

General Information

Maianthemum canadense is an erect, herbaceous perennial plant forming a dense clump of unbranched stems from a much-branched rhizomatous rootstock; the plant can grow 10 - 25cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it can be used as a ground cover.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

N. America - southeastern Yukon and southern Northwest Territory to Newfoundland, south to southern British Colombia, South Dakota and North Carolina

Habitat

Deciduous and coniferous forests, persisting in forest remnants and parks; at elevations up to 1,800 metres[]. Woods and recent clearings, often to the sub-alpine zone[], in humus-rich slightly acid soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.10 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a cool shady moist but not wet position[, ]. Plants tolerate warm summers only if the soil remains moist[].
A mat forming plant, it can be invasive in good conditions[].
The flowers are sweetly scented[].

Edible Uses

Fruit[, , ]. We have no more details except a warning that the fruit should be used with caution. The deep translucent red, globose fruit is about 4 - 6mm in diameter[, ].

Medicinal

A tea made from the plant has been used in the treatment of headaches and as a kidney tonic for pregnant women[, ]. It is also used as a gargle for sore throats and as an expectorant[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be used as ground cover in shady positions[, ], doing well in a wild or woodland garden[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown quite thinly it as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, it should germinate in the spring. Stored seed should be sown in late winter in a cold frame, it might take 18 months to germinate. Allow the seedlings to grow on in the pot for their first year, giving liquid feeds as necessary to ensure that they do not go hungry. Divide the plants into individual pots once they have died down in late summer. Grow them on in pots for another year or more until large enough to plant out[].
Division as new growth commences in the spring. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.