# Lily of the Valley (*Convallaria majalis*) Lily of the Valley is a delicate flower with tiny white bells that grow in shady woodland areas. Its sweet scent fills the air in spring, attracting bees and butterflies. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Snaps:** 14 - **Habitat:** Woodlands - **Also known as:** Our Lady's Tears ![Lily of the Valley](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Convallaria_majalis_2016-11-08_4871.jpg&width=800) Photo: Salicyna, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Convallaria_majalis_2016-11-08_4871.jpg) ## Appearance The Lily of the Valley has broad, glossy, emerald-green leaves that emerge from the ground. Delicate, pure white, bell-shaped flowers hang in a row along a slender stalk, creating an elegant, arching display. Its visually distinct feature is the uniform, downward-facing bells. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Liliopsida - **Order:** Asparagales - **Family:** Asparagaceae - **Genus:** Convallaria ## Interesting facts - After blooming, it grows bright red berries that attract birds for seed dispersal! - In France, May 1st is "Muguet Day," where people give Lily of the Valley for good luck! - The scent is so special, it's used to calibrate perfume-making machines! - This plant can live for many decades, spreading its beauty for generations! ## Special abilities - **Underground Navigator:** Lily of the Valley can spread rapidly using underground stems (rhizomes) that help it colonize large areas quickly. - **Potent Protector:** Lily of the Valley has toxic compounds in all its parts that help it defend against most hungry animals. - **Scented Signal:** Lily of the Valley has an incredibly strong, sweet fragrance that helps it attract pollinators from a distance. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 15-30 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Deadly - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar and pollen - **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — visits bell-shaped flowers - **Eats:** Spanish slug (*Arion vulgaris*) — feeds on leaves and stems ## Traits - [Perennial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/perennial): Perennial plants live for more than two years, typically returning to grow and bloom each year from their roots. - [Bell-Shaped Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/bell-shaped-flower): Bell-shaped flowers possess petals fused or arranged to form a cup-like or campanulate structure resembling a bell. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. ## Collections - [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers) - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Never eat or touch the Lily of the Valley plant as it can be harmful. Enjoy its beauty from a safe distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Lily of the Valley? Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Lily of the Valley? 15-30 cm ### How wide does Lily of the Valley spread? 30-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on Lily of the Valley? 0.5-1 cm ### When does Lily of the Valley bloom? Spring ### Is Lily of the Valley edible? No ### Is Lily of the Valley toxic? Deadly ### What is Lily of the Valley's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Currier Park Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/currier-park-historic-district) — Vermont, US · Historic District - [Hidden Lake Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hidden-lake-gardens) — Michigan, US · Botanical Garden - [Irvington Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/irvington-historic-district) — Indiana, US · Historic District - [Kennebunkport Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kennebunkport-historic-district) — Maine, US · Historic District - [McDade Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mcdade-park) — Pennsylvania, US · Botanical Garden - [Nichols Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/nichols-arboretum) — Michigan, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Lily of the Valley](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/lily-of-the-valley) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Lily of the Valley: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lily-of-the-valley)