Also known as Wild Lily-of-the-valley, Bead Ruby, Canada Beadruby, False Lily-of-the-Valley, and Two Leaf Solomon's Seal, this perennial is a member of the Lily family. It is not named after the legendary ship of the Pilgrims, but was first identified in Canada. The scientific name is derived from the Latin maius, which means May, and anthemon, means flower, which identifies the flowering time of these plants.

A low growing plant (5 to 20 cm), it bears 2 to 3 heart-shaped, alternating leaves on its short stalked stem, topped by a terminal cluster of small, fragrant, white flowers. Its round fruit is initially green, becoming red in fall. These fruits are a favored food of grouse.

As its name implies, it blooms in May - June. The fruit appear in July – August. In the Algonquin Highlands you will find these plants in coniferous forests, usually in large beds. They spread through their slender, creeping rhizomes.