# Two-leaved shade flower (Maianthemum bifolium)

**Swedish: Ekorrbär | English: False Lily of the Valley | Family: Asparagus family (Asparagaceae)**

The two-leaved shade flower (*Maianthemum bifolium*) is figuratively called **Ekorrbär** (squirrel berry) in Swedish.

It inhabits mossy forest floors in the shade of old spruce trees. The exact two heart-shaped stem leaves and the fragrant white flower clusters in early summer are characteristic.

## FAQs

- **Why is the plant called Ekorrbär in Swedish?**: A Swedish folk belief said that squirrels collect and eat the bright red autumn berries.
- **Are the red berries of the shadow flower poisonous?**: YES! The berries contain heart-active saponins and should under no circumstances be consumed by humans.
- **How do you recognize the shadow flower?**: By the characteristic two heart-shaped leaves and the small white star flowers on an upright grape stem.
- **When is the flowering time?**: May to July.
- **How tall will the plant grow?**: Dainty 10 to 20 cm.
- **Which forest locations does the plant love?**: Acid, moss-covered and moist forest floors in shady coniferous forests.


## Weitere Informationen

- Botanical illustration: Two-petaled shadeflower (Maianthemum bifolium), in Swedish'Ekorrbär'.
- Asparagus family (Asparagaceae)
- Nature, Taiga & Waters of Västerbotten
- False Lily of the Valley
- Native to Northern Sweden
- Dainty forest plant with exactly two heart-shaped leaves, white fragrant flowers and poisonous red autumn berries.
- Poisonous forest shrub (squirrelberry)