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Lily of the valley

How to identify Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)

Lily of the valley, also known as Our lady's tears, Mary's tears

Lily of the valley is distinguished by its low height, reaching up to 10 inches (25 cm), and spreads across 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm). The foliage is a vibrant green with broad leaves, from which emanate clusters of alluring, pendulous bell-shaped flowers. These blossoms are characteristically fragrant and brilliant white, enhancing the plant's subtle charm as a groundcover species.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Lily of the valley

1

Low height of 10 inches (25 cm) distinguishes lily of the valley as a groundcover species.

2

Fragrant, white, bell-shaped flowers with 6 lobes bloom in 1-sided racemes.

3

Bright red, 1/4 inch (6 mm) berries develop in summer, each containing 1-6 seeds.

4

Basal leaves are elliptic, 5-10 inches (12-25 cm) long, with entire margins and parallel veins.

5

Foliage is vibrant green with broad leaves, providing a subtle charm as groundcover.

Lily of the valleyLily of the valleyLily of the valleyLily of the valleyLily of the valley

Detailed Traits of Lily of the valley

Leaf Features

Lily of the valley features basal, simple, paired leaves that are elliptic or narrowly ovate in shape. These leaves typically range from 5 to 10 inches (12 to 25 cm) in length and 3 to 5 inches (7.5 to 12.5 cm) in width, with entire margins and parallel veins. The leaves have petioles that wrap around a basal stalk, which is partially buried underground.

Leaf Shape

Lanceolate ,
Elliptic ,
Ovate

Lily of the valley Leaf Shape image
Leaf Type

Simple

Leaf Base

Cuneate

Leaf Arrangement

Basal

Leaf Apex

Acuminate ,
Acute

Leaf Margin

Entire

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Flower Features

The flowers of lily of the valley are small, nodding, bell-shaped blossoms that are about 1/3 inch (8.5 mm) long and wide. They are white with a delicate fragrance and have 6 curved lobes. Arranged in a 1-sided, slender raceme that is 4 to 9 inches (10 to 23 cm) long, these flowers bloom in clusters of 6 to 16. They appear from late spring to early summer, flowering for around 3 weeks.

Corolla Type

Urceolate

Inflorescence Type

Raceme

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Fruit Features

The fruit of lily of the valley is a globoid berry, typically measuring around 1/4 inch (6 mm) in diameter. It flaunts a vibrant red hue when mature, attracting the eyes of onlookers and wildlife. Each of these berries encases between 1 to 6 seeds. Although the fruit is seldom produced, its development occurs in the summer season, providing a sharp contrast to the foliage. The surface of the berry is smooth, adding to its visual appeal, but it is not commonly seen as the plant rarely sets fruit.

Lily of the valley Fruit image
Fruit Type

Berry

Learn About the Fruit Glossary
Group
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Key Facts About Lily of the valley

Attributes of Lily of the valley
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
15 cm to 30 cm
Spread
23 cm to 30 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
4 mm to 9 mm
Flower Color
White
Pink
Fruit Color
Red
Stem Color
Green
Red
White
Leaf type
Deciduous
The Toxicity of Lily of the valley
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Scientific Classification of Lily of the valley

Family
Asparagus
Icon allow
Species
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)
Learn More About the Lily of the valley

Distribution Map of Lily of the valley

The native home of lily of the valley spans from Europe to the Caucasus. It's been naturalized primarily in the easternmost regions of North America. Lily of the valley's original ecosystem is under the shade of trees, mainly ash trees, in forests with soil rich in calcium carbonate.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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