Lily of the Valley <b><i>Convallaria majalis</i></b>

Lily of the Valley Convallaria majalis

Convallaria majalis, commonly known as the Lily of the Valley, is the only species in the genus Convallaria in the flowering plant family Ruscaceae in older texts found in the lily family Liliaceae or placed in its own family called Convallariaceae. This woodland plant is native throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere in Asia and Europe and a limited native population in Eastern USA (Convallaria majalis var. montana.) It is a herbaceous perennial plant that forms extensive colonies by spreading underground stems called rhizomes that send out stolons. These send up numerous stems each spring. The stems grow to 15-30 cm tall, with one or two leaves 10-25 cm long, flowering stems have two leaves and a raceme of 5-15 flowers on the stem apex. The flowers are white tepals(rarely pink), bell-shaped, 5-10 mm diameter, and sweetly scented; flowering is in late spring, in mild winters in early March. The fruit is a small orange-red berry 5-7 mm diameter that contains a few large whitish to brownish colored seeds that dry to a clear translucent round bead 1 to 3 mm wide. Plants are self-sterile, and colonies of one clone do not set seed. from wikipedia ( dutch name: Lelietje-van-dalen)
BazZ
on Apr 30, 2007 6:16 pm
Image Type(s): Flora
Image ID: 289558

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Anya Jingle

Anya Jingle - Apr 30, 2007 8:00 pm - Voted 10/10

Ahhhh...

I still remember the wonderful smell of these flowers. Great photo as usual.

BazZ

BazZ - May 1, 2007 3:47 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Ahhhh...

You remind me of something, I always forget smelling.. I start right away.

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