Definition

1. Noun:
   • A low-growing perennial plant: Convallaria majalis is a specific botanical name for a perennial flowering plant species. It is characterized by having typically two large, oblong, lanceolate (lance-shaped) leaves.
   • A plant with distinctive flowers and berries: It produces a raceme (a flower cluster with separate flowers attached by short stalks along a central stem) of small, fragrant, nodding, bell-shaped white flowers. These are followed by scarlet (bright red) berries.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The delicate fragrance of Convallaria majalis filled the spring garden.
  • Botanists study the growth patterns of Convallaria majalis in shaded woodland areas.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical classification: The term is used in scientific and horticultural contexts to precisely identify this specific species, distinguishing it from other plants with common names like "lily of the valley."
  • The specimen was correctly identified as Convallaria majalis based on its floral structure.

Variants and Related Words

• Lily of the valley: This is the common English name for .
  • Lily of the valley is a popular choice for wedding bouquets.
• Convallaria: The genus name to which this species belongs. Other species within the genus may also be referred to with this word.
  • The genus Convallaria contains a few similar species.

Synonyms

• Lily of the valley: The standard common name.
• May lily: A less common alternative name, referring to its typical blooming period.

Notes

• This is a binomial nomenclature (a two-part scientific name). is the genus, and is the specific epithet. In formal writing, it is italicized.
• While "lily of the valley" is the direct synonym, is the precise, unambiguous term used in scientific and technical contexts.

Noun

1. 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