Lily of the Valley
| Botanical Name : | Convallaria majalis | |
| Common Name : | Lily of the Valley | |
| Product Use : | Cut Flower | |
| Pronunciation : | kon-va-LAH-ree-a mah-JA-lis | |
| Family Roots : | Member of the Liliaceae (lily) family. Native to Europe. Related species include lily, tulip, asparagus, daylily. |
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| Personality : | Nodding, bell-shaped flowers occur in loose, one-sided clusters at stem ends. Stems 8-10 inches long, bearing 6-8 clusters of flowers. Plant is a herbaceous perennial from a rhizome, classed as a monocotyledon, leaves mostly parallel veined. Flower fragrance is sweet, mild. |
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| Availability : | Mainly spring but some year-round. | |
| Flower Color : | White, pink. | |
| Decorative Life : | 3-6 days. | |
| Ethylene Sensitivity : | More research needed | |
| Ethylene Comments : | Likely to be ethylene sensitivity but unknown at this time. To be safe, treat with an anti-ethylene product. | |
| Post Harvest Care Opportunities : |
Recut stems under water and place into a fresh flower food solution. Flowers tend to wilt quickly if exposed to heat or poor air circulation, green buds may not open. |
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| Storage Specifics : | 30-32F for 2-3 weeks if rhizomes still are attached, store cut stems at 32-34F in water or dry for up to 5 days. At 36-40F, unopened flowers turned yellow, pathogen growth increased and vaselife decreased. | |
| Tidbits : | From the Latin "convallis" (a
valley), referring to where the plant is found. The specific epithet
name majalis means May, in reference to when it flowers. Flowers are used in the perfume industry, rhizomes have medicinal properties. With over 3000 species, the lily family includes many medicinal and food species in addition to ornamental species. Some references suggest placing stems on ice to revive if limp. Single and double flower forms are available. More information available at: http://www.hoogasian.com/ and May Birth Month Flower | |
