Category Archives: trailing arbutus

Mayflowers are blooming!

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One of my very favorite signs of spring is finding the first blooms of our state flower, the mayflower, also known as trailing arbutus….

The bristly tough leaves can be found along the sides of many trails on the Cape but I especially find them in Barnstable. They like the early spring sun, do well with acidic soil and hug the ground so often go unnoticed except by those who look for them.

Often you have to look under the leaves to see the buds and I knew that this patch of plants had buds last week so was hoping to see blossoms on our morning walk.

Some blossoms look white while others have a pinkish cast. They all smell delicious. They are not in full bloom everywhere yet but if you are out and about this week, take a look for them. They are well worth the effort.

Watching for blooms….

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One of the earliest, sweetest wildflowers to bloom on Cape Cod is our state flower, the trailing arbutus or mayflower. If you look at the picture below there are two green plants (not counting the moss) The smaller, shinier leaves are of teaberry, also known as common wintergreen. The larger, lighter green leaves are of the mayflower. They feel quite tough and leathery, not smooth like the teaberry.You can find mayflowers in many of our woodland areas and often along side a path as they seem to like sunny locations on a bank. Even my dog wanted to check them out to see if they were blooming yet….
Not quite! But maybe they will be ready when the sun comes back out later this week. If you are headed out for a woodland walk this weekend keep your eyes open. The blooms often hide just under the leaves. If you can get down on the ground to smell them they have a most wonderful, heavenly scent….