Plants Pacific Northwest

Convallaria Majalis - Lily of the Valley

Note: These plants can be dangerous if improperly used. The author, and/or ernestartist.org assume no liability for experimentation of use.

Plate 113 Plate 114

Plate 115 Plate 116

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Convallaria Majalis: Lily of the Valley, Doitu-Suzu-Ran, European Lily of the Valley, Inci Cicegi.

Lily of the valley is a herbaceous perennial from a slender, running rootstock sporting 2 - 3 leaves, basal usualt about 1 foot long. During early spring inflorescence a one-sided raceme of small, nodding, white, bell-shaped flowers followed by bright red fruit berries (although very seldom forming).

Convallaria Majalis is native of Eurasia but is commonly cultivated in gardens or flower beds in United States and Canada.

Cardiac glycosides convallarin and convallamarin have somewhat similar effect on the human heart as Digitalis, causing irregular heartbeat and stomach upset (The plant is also said to have a purgative action). The leaves, flowers, roots, and fruits are considered toxic. However, the toxic principle is very poorly absorbed when taken orally so poisoning is unlikely to occur. The leaves can be a mild skin irritant.
Gastric lavage or emesis; supportive; potassium, procainamide, quinidine sulfate, disodium salt of edetate (Na2EDTA) have all been used effectively to counter act the poison.

The plant contains cardiac glycosides as well as saponins. There are some references in the literature that mention poisoning and death in humans after accidental ingestion of the berries and leaves, and even by drinking the water that the plants were kept in. Frohne and Pfander (1983) suggest that serious cases are unlikely to occur because the glycosides are poorly absorbed. They cast doubt on the report of poisoning by ingesting water that lily-of-the- valley was standing in because experiments with animals did not substantiate these reports. However, in spite of these reservations, some cases of human poisoning are mentioned in the literature, and so these plants should be considered potentially poisonous. Because of the cardiac glycosides and saponins found in this plant, animals that have access to the plant material may be poisoned. Certainly, ingesting large quantities of lily-of-the-valley can cause problems to family pets such as cats and dogs.