Lily of the Valley, May Lily, Mary's Tears
Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Angiosperms, Class: Monocots, Order: Asparagales, Family: Asparagaceae, Genus: Convallaria, Species: C. majalis · Asparagaceae (Asparagus family); formerly Ruscaceae or Liliaceae · Simple, perennial herbaceous, deciduous
Species
Convallaria majalis
Leaf Type
Simple, perennial herbaceous, deciduous
Family
Asparagaceae (Asparagus family); formerly Ruscaceae or Liliaceae
Shape
Elliptic to ovate-lanceolate
Size
Approximately 5-8 inches long and 1-3 inches wide; typical for mature forest specimens.
Margin
Entire (smooth)
Arrangement
Basal; usually appearing in pairs (2-3 leaves) that sheathe the stem at the base.
Rarity
Very Common; widely used in landscaping and frequently found in wild woodland colonies.
Color & Pattern
Uniform medium to dark green with a slightly glossy finish. The color is consistent across the blade, though the midrib may appear slightly lighter.
Venation Pattern
Parallel (characteristic of monocots), with fine longitudinal veins running from base to tip.
Texture & Surface
Smooth (glabrous), slightly leathery or waxy to the touch, with a matte to semi-glossy upper surface.
Description
A low-growing herbaceous perennial known for its spreading rhizomes. It produces pairs of upright green leaves and a central leafless stalk bearing nodding, bell-shaped, fragrant white flowers in spring, followed by orange-red berries.
Key Features
Paired basal leaves, parallel venation, smooth margins, and a distinct sheathing base where the petioles overlap.
Habitat
Partial to full shade in deciduous woodlands, montane forests, and established gardens with moist, humus-rich soil.
Geographic Range
Native across the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere in Europe and Asia. Common as an introduced/naturalized ornamental in North America.
Condition Notes
Excellent health; the leaves show no signs of chlorosis, fungal spotting, or insect herbivory.
Interesting Facts
It was the national flower of Yugoslavia and remains the national flower of Finland. According to legend, the plant sprang from the tears of the Virgin Mary at the cross.
Medicinal & Uses
Used historically in heart tonics (contains cardiac glycosides), though very dangerous. Primarily used today in high-end perfumery and as a shade-tolerant groundcover.
Ecological Role
Provides dense ground cover that stabilizes woodland soil; flowers are visited by bees, though the plant spreads primarily via clonal rhizomes.
Similar Species
Wild Leek (Allium tricoccum), which smells like onion/garlic; and False Solomon's Seal (Maianthemum racemosum), which has alternate leaves on a tall stem.
Foraging Tips
Avoid foraging for food near this plant as it can be confused with edible wild leeks. To distinguish, crush a small piece; Lily of the Valley will lack any onion-like odor.
Toxicity Warning
Highly Toxic. All parts of the plant, including the flowers and berries, contain cardiac glycosides (such as convallatoxin). Ingestion can cause cardiac arrhythmia, vomiting, and death. Toxicity Level: Deadly.