Lily of the Valley
Lily of the Valley, common name for a genus of three species of perennial herbs. The commonly cultivated species is native to Europe. Lily of the valley has long been a favourite for shady gardens, where its rhizomes (underground stems) form dense patches to the exclusion of all other vegetation. The leaves are tongue-shaped, parallel-veined, and rise from ground level. The fruit is a red berry. The flowers are tiny white bells (occasionally other colours in cultivars) hanging on one side of a single erect stem up to 30 cm (12 in) tall. Because of their fragrance, the flowers are used in the manufacture of perfume. In cultivation, lily of the valley is usually propagated from the terminal buds, called pips, of the underground rootstock. Once established, populations tend to persist with great tenacity.
Scientific classification: Lilies of the valley make up the genus Convallaria of the family Liliaceae. The cultivated species is classified as Convallaria majalis.
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