Maianthemum racemosum

Although often cited as a forest species, it frequently occurs in open oak woodland and savanna-like habitat in southwest Michigan. There are a couple of locations on our property where it naturally grows in sites that are neary full sun. It is an adaptable species. It produces arching stems. The white flowers yield reddish berries in the late summer/early fall. The flowers provide pollen for small bees, beetles, and flies. It is eaten by deer, and I have observed it is most noticebly browsed early in the growing season. It is botanically noteworthy to mention that this species is named for having a Raceme, but it actually produces a Panicle of flowers.