Lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis) is a rhizomatous perennial, widely grown for its fragrant, white flowers that appear in late Spring or early Summer. The plant grows best in cool, mesic climates, often in bright or partial shade. This plant is also grown as a commercial crop, both for cut flowers and as a source of essential oil used in perfumery.
Convallaria is a small genus of three species in the Butcher Broom Family (Ruscaceae, or alternatively, subfamily Nolinoideae of Asparagaceae). Convallaria majalis is native to Europe and western Asia. Convallaria keiskei is native to eastern Asia, Sakhalin, and Japan.
Convallaria pseudomajalis is native to the central Applachian Mountains in the eastern U.S.
All Convallaria contain cardiac glycoside compounds and are therefore quite poisonous.