lily of the valley

lily of the valley
pl. lilies of the valley.
a plant, Convallaria majalis, having an elongated cluster of small, drooping, bell-shaped, fragrant white flowers.
[1555-65]

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Fragrant perennial herb and sole species (Convallaria majalis) of the genus Convallaria (lily family), native to Eurasia and eastern North America.

White, bell-shaped flowers droop in a row from one side of a leafless stalk, which bears usually two glossy leaves at its base. The fruit is a single red berry. Lily of the valley is cultivated in shaded garden areas in many temperate parts of the world.

Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)

© Nell Bolen
The National Audubon Society Collection/Photo Researchers

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▪ plant
 (Convallaria majalis), fragrant perennial herb and only species of the genus Convallaria of the family Ruscaceae, native to Eurasia and eastern North America. Lily of the valley has nodding, white, bell-shaped flowers that are borne in a cluster on one side of a leafless stalk. The glossy leaves, usually two, are located at the base of the plant. The fruit is a red berry, and the rootstock creeps horizontally below the ground. Lily of the valley is cultivated in shaded garden areas in many temperate parts of the world. The plants often grow closely together, forming a dense mat.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Synonyms:
(Convallaria majalis)


Look at other dictionaries:

  • Lily of the valley — Lily Lil y (l[i^]l [y^]), n.; pl. {Lilies} (l[i^]l [i^]z). [AS. lilie, L. lilium, Gr. lei rion. Cf. {Flower de luce}.] 1. (Bot.) A plant and flower of the genus {Lilium}, endogenous bulbous plants, having a regular perianth of six colored pieces …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lily of the Valley — «Lily of the Valley» Canción de Queen Álbum Sheer Heart Attack Publicación 1974 Gra …   Wikipedia Español

  • lily of the valley — lily of the val·ley lil ē əv thə val ē n, pl lil·ies of the valley 1) an erect low growing perennial herb of the genus Convallaria (C. majalis) that has two large oblong lanceolate leaves and a raceme of fragrant nodding bell shaped white flowers …   Medical dictionary

  • lily of the valley — n. pl. lilies of the valley [transl. of LL(Ec) lilium convallium in S. of Sol. 2:1 (Vulg)] a perennial plant (Convallaria majalis) of the lily family, that grows in the shade and has a single pair of basal, oblong leaves and a single leafless… …   English World dictionary

  • lily of the valley — ► NOUN ▪ a plant of the lily family, with broad leaves and small white bell shaped flowers …   English terms dictionary

  • lily of the valley — n a plant with several small white bell shaped flowers …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • lily of the valley — noun count a plant with small white flowers that are shaped like bells and have a pleasant smell …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Lily of the Valley — For other uses, see Lily of the Valley (disambiguation). Convallaria majalis Scientific classification …   Wikipedia

  • lily of the valley — noun low growing perennial plant having usually two large oblong lanceolate leaves and a raceme of small fragrant nodding bell shaped flowers followed by scarlet berries • Syn: ↑May lily, ↑Convallaria majalis • Hypernyms: ↑liliaceous plant •… …   Useful english dictionary

  • lily of the valley — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms lily of the valley : singular lily of the valley plural lily of the valleys or lilies of the valley a plant with small white flowers that are shaped like bells and have a pleasant smell …   English dictionary

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