Lilies of the valley are rightly named, as their main flowering period falls in May. The intensely fragrant spring flower is therefore often given as a gift on Mother's Day. Unfortunately, the flower is very poisonous and should therefore not be grown in gardens with children and pets.
What are the characteristics of lily of the valley in the profile?
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) are spring flowers from the asparagus family. They grow 10 to 30 cm high, have two to three lanceolate, medium to dark green leaves, bell-shaped white or pink flowers and red berries. Their main flowering time is in May, they are highly poisonous and prefer shady to semi-shady locations.
The Lily of the Valley – A Profile
- Botanical name: Convallaria majalis
- popular names: Marienglöckchen, Maieriesli
- Plant family: Asparagus family
- Origin: native flowering plant
- Area of distribution: Europe, North America
- preferred location: shady to semi-shady deciduous forests
- Height: 10 to 30 centimeters
- Leaves: two, occasionally three leaves per plant
- Leaf shape: long, lancet-like
- Leaf color: medium to dark green, cultivated forms with light edges
- Flower shape: bell shape, up to 10 bells per stem
- Flower color: mostly white, occasionally pink, also double
- Flowering time: end of April to beginning of June
- Fruits: red berries in autumn
- Root: rhizome, not a flower bulb
- Propagation: seeds, root division
- Winter hardiness: absolutely hardy
- Toxicity: highly toxic in all parts of the plant
- Use as a medicinal plant: heart strengthening, dizziness, eye diseases
- Nature conservation: protected in some parts of Europe and Germany
The roots of lily of the valley are rhizomes
Even though lily of the valley can be found commercially among flower bulbs, it is not a bulb plant. The lily of the valley forms rhizomes. These are thickened roots in which nutrients are stored.
Danger of confusion with wild garlic
Lily of the valley must not be eaten under any circumstances, neither the leaves, flowers nor the red berries. Unfortunately, the elongated leaves look very similar to the wild garlic herb. Confusing the two plants can result in serious poisoning.
In contrast to lily of the valley, the leaves of wild garlic exude a strong smell of garlic. Lily of the valley leaves are almost odorless.
The striking distinguishing feature of wild garlic is the fact that the stems only have one leaf, while lilies of the valley have two or three leaves.
Lily of the valley and snowdrops are only slightly alike
However, there is no risk of confusion between lily of the valley and snowdrop. Snowdrops also have white flowers, but they don't have a scent.
In addition, snowdrops have long since faded when the lilies of the valley begin to sprout and bloom.
Tip
The name Convallaria majalis already indicates the preferred location of the lily of the valley. Convallaria means valley, and the spring flower thrives particularly well in slightly moist and shady locations. Majalis is a derivative of May, the plant's main flowering time.
