European lily of the valley
Convallaria majalis
Despite its toxicity, it is the national flower of Finland and was used historically in folk medicine to treat heart conditions, though such use is now considered extremely dangerous.
- Scientific name
- Convallaria majalis
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Liliopsida › Asparagales › Asparagaceae › Convallaria
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Deciduous and coniferous woodlands, mountain meadows, and shaded gardens.
- Diet
- Photosynthetic; absorbs minerals and water through a creeping rhizome system.
- Range
- Europe, Northern Asia, North America
- Size
- 15-30 cm in height with leaves 10-25 cm long.
- Lifespan
- Perennial; individual colonies can live for decades through clonal rhizome growth.
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat fragmentation and illegal over-harvesting for the horticultural and fragrance industries.
- Safe to approach?
- Dangerous if ingested. All parts of the plant, including its red berries and the water in which it is kept, contain cardiac glycosides that are highly toxic to humans and pets. Do not consume. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. If ingested, seek emergency medical services immediately.
Lily of the valley ( Convallaria majalis /ˌkɒnvəˈleɪriə məˈdʒeɪlɪs/), sometimes written lily-of-the-valley , is a sweetly scented, highly poisonous woodland flowering plant that is native throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere in Asia, and Europe. Other names include May bells , Our Lady's tears , and Mary's tears . Its French name, muguet , sometimes appears in the names of perfumes imitating the flower's scent.
Photo: Vladimir, CC0, via iNaturalist
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