<P> It is possibly the only species in the genus Convallaria (depending on whether C. keiskei and C. transcaucasica are recognised as separate species). In the APG III system, the genus is placed in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Nolinoideae (formerly the family Ruscaceae). It was formerly placed in its own family Convallariaceae, and, like many lilioid monocots, before that in the lily family Liliaceae . </P> <P> Convallaria majalis is a herbaceous perennial plant that forms extensive colonies by spreading underground stems called rhizomes . New upright shoots are formed at the ends of stolons in summer, these upright dormant stems are often called pips . These grow in the spring into new leafy shoots that still remain connected to the other shoots under ground, often forming extensive colonies . The stems grow to 15--30 cm tall, with one or two leaves 10--25 cm long; flowering stems have two leaves and a raceme of 5--15 flowers on the stem apex . </P> <P> The flowers have six white tepals (rarely pink), fused at the base to form a bell - shape, 5--10 mm diameter, and sweetly scented; flowering is in late spring, in mild winters in the Northern Hemisphere it is in early March . The fruit is a small orange - red berry 5--7 mm diameter that contains a few large whitish to brownish colored seeds that dry to a clear translucent round bead 1--3 mm wide . Plants are self - sterile, and colonies consisting of a single clone do not set seed . </P> <P> Convallaria majalis is a native of Europe, where it largely avoids the Mediterranean and Atlantic margins . An eastern variety, C. majalis var . manschurica occurs in Japan and parts of eastern Asia . A limited native population of C. majalis var . montana occurs in the Eastern United States . There is, however, some debate as to the native status of the American variety . </P>

Where does the scent of a lily come from