Convallaria majalis

Linnaeus

Sp. Pl. 1: 314. 1753.

Illustrated
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 26. Treatment on page 205. Mentioned on page 206.

Plants 1–3 dm. Leaves 15–50 × 2.5–13 cm; petiole 4–30 cm; blade 9–26 cm, strongly or weakly veined. Inflorescence bracts scarious, 4–20 mm. Flowers: tepals 6, white, midribs prominent, white or green, lobes 1–3 mm, with microscopic glands; pedicel 7–11 mm. Berries 1–9, 1–5-seeded, 6–12 mm. Seeds 3–4 mm. 2n = 38.

Distribution

Deciduous forests of e North America, w Europe, e Asia.

Discussion

Varieties 3 (2 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Key

1 Plants forming dense colonies; leaf blades green until frost; bracts 4–10 mm, shorter than pedicel; tepal midribs white. Convallaria majalis var. majalis
1 Plants scattered or forming small groups; leaf blades yellowing in late summer; bracts 10–20 mm, equaling or longer than pedicel; tepal midribs green. Convallaria majalis var. montana