Herb. No. 078 · Asparagaceae
Cool Eurasian woodland floors.
Native · Europe · East Asia
Native Also grown
LegalDeadlyplant
Lily of the valley
Convallaria majalis
A sweet May bell that is a foxglove cousin — perfume, not a homemade heart drop.
Treat this as a poison-garden specimen. Read Safety before any use.
Convallatoxin is a cardiac glycoside. Victorian 'lily of the valley drops' for the heart belong in a museum. The whole plant, including the water in a vase, has poisoned children. This is a shade-garden teaching specimen beside foxglove and oleander.
Flavor
Do not taste. The flowers smell of sweetness; that is not an invitation.
Parts used
None for self-care.
Helpful
- Unmistakable May scent
- A paired lesson with foxglove
Cautions
- Fatal in small amounts
- Vase water is not safe
- Spreads into a patch children sit in