Lily of the Valley, scientifically known as Convallaria majalis, is a woodland flowering plant celebrated for its delicate beauty and sweet fragrance. This perennial herb, native to regions across the Northern Hemisphere, is a popular choice for gardens due to its charming appearance. Its small, bell-shaped white flowers hang in sprays, often filling the air with their pleasant perfume.
Is Lily of the Valley Safe to Eat?
Lily of the Valley is highly toxic and should not be consumed. Every part of the plant—leaves, flowers, berries, and roots—contains poisonous compounds. Even water from a vase holding cut Lily of the Valley can become poisonous. Ingestion of even small quantities is dangerous to humans and animals.
Understanding Lily of the Valley’s Toxicity
Its toxicity comes from a high concentration of cardiac glycosides, such as convallatoxin, convallarin, and convallamarin. The plant contains over 30 types of these compounds, which act on the heart. These cardiac glycosides inhibit the sodium-potassium pump in cardiac muscle cells, affecting the heart’s contractile function.
Symptoms vary depending on the amount ingested and individual sensitivity, ranging from mild to severe. Gastrointestinal issues often appear first, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite.
More serious effects involve the cardiovascular system, such as slowed or irregular heart rate, low blood pressure, chest pain, and cardiac arrhythmias. Neurological symptoms may also manifest, including disorientation, confusion, dizziness, headaches, weakness, and blurred vision.
Responding to Ingestion
Immediate medical attention is necessary if Lily of the Valley is ingested. Contact emergency services or a poison control center, such as the national Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the United States. Avoid inducing vomiting unless advised by a medical professional.
When speaking with emergency responders, provide as much detail as possible. Include the age and weight of the person, current symptoms, the part of the plant consumed, estimated amount, and time of ingestion. Prompt medical evaluation allows for appropriate treatment, which may involve activated charcoal to absorb toxins, intravenous fluids, and medications to manage symptoms.
Distinguishing Lily of the Valley from Similar Plants
Accidental ingestion often occurs due to misidentification, particularly with edible plants like wild garlic (ramsons or wild leeks). Lily of the Valley leaves typically appear as two large, dark green, elliptical or lanceolate leaves per stem, often with a glossy underside and prominent parallel veins. Its flowers are distinctly white, bell-shaped, and hang downwards along one side of the stem.
In contrast, wild garlic leaves often grow individually from the ground, or one to two leaves emerge separately on their own stems. The most reliable way to differentiate them is by scent: wild garlic leaves emit a strong onion or garlic smell when crushed, while Lily of the Valley leaves are largely odorless. Wild garlic flowers are star-shaped and form a clustered globe at the top of a stalk, differing significantly from Lily of the Valley’s hanging bells.