Convallaria majalis (lily of the valley, "Doitsusuzuran")

Japanese name: ドイツスズラン
Scientific name: Convallaria majalis

[Overview]
A perennial growing under sparse woodland and similar places.
It spreads by long creeping rhizomes and sometimes forms colonies.
Two leaves grow from the base; they are ovate-oblong, 10–25 cm long, with entire margins.
The leaf bases form long sheaths, and several scale leaves are attached below.
A flower stalk 15–30 cm tall, taller than the leaves, emerges from the axil of a scale leaf at the base of the leaves.
The flower stalk forms a raceme leaning to one side, bearing 5–15 nodding flowers.
The flowers are about 1 cm across, white and broadly bell-shaped; they look 6-petaled, but the tepals are fused to about the middle, so they appear 6-lobed.
The tips of the tepals curl back.
The anthers are yellowish green.
The flowers are fragrant.
The fruit is a spherical berry 5–7 mm across that ripens red.

[Uses]
The whole plant is poisonous, but the rhizome is used medicinally.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by division.
It prefers a well-drained site.
Its native habitat is cool, so it dislikes heat and humidity; it is best planted where it will be in partial shade in summer, such as under deciduous trees.
If it is too shady, it flowers poorly.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries.
In the garden, in a site that dries out easily, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries.
In a moist site, watering is not particularly necessary.
Apply slow-release fertilizer as a base fertilizer, and give diluted liquid fertilizer about twice a month from spring to autumn.
White silk disease (southern blight) can occur.

[Notes]
Most of the plants cultivated as ornamentals under the name Suzuran are Doitsu-suzuran.
Suzuran can be distinguished by its flower stalk being lower than the leaves and its yellow anthers.

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