Convallaria majalis (European Lily-of-the-valley)

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Detailed Information

Flower:

From 6 to 14 white bell-shaped flowers hang down in a single raceme that extends off the top of the main stem. Each flower is about 1/3 inch long, has 6 lobes that curl back, and a stem about ½ inch long. The raceme is up to 6 inches long and nods down at the tip. The flowers are fragrant.

Leaves:

Each plant has 2 leaves oppositely attached at the top of the short main stem, or sometimes a whorl of 3 leaves. Each leaf is up to 8 inches long and 3 inches wide, oval to elliptical, tapering to a point at both ends, with many faint parallel veins. The edges are smooth.

Fruit:

Fruit is a red berry about ¼ inch across, containing 1 to 3 seeds. Not all plants produce fruit.

Notes:

This plant is a garden escapee, and toxic to both animals and humans. It is slow to spread but long lived once established, forming dense colonies and crowding out native species. There is a giant colony of this in the woods at Long Lake Regional Park. When it's in bloom, the fragrance is intoxicating.

More photos

• European Lily-of-the-valley plant, about 8 inches tall
• a colony of plants

Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN September 2008 and May 2009

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?