Lily of the valley

Lily of the valley is a perennial herbaceous plant that has elliptic, tongue-like shaped leaves. Usually lily of the valley flowers at the turn of May and June and its nodding, campanulate flowers are bright white and sweetly scented. The large, orange-red berries grow after blooming and are highly poisonous. Other parts of the plant are also toxic.

Lily of the valley is not too demanding considering the sites where it grows. Its habitats range from herb-rich forests to drier woodlands but the largest numbers of the plant can be found on nutrient-rich sites. Lily of the valley’s natural distribution is wide as it grows in Europe, Asia and North America.

Lily of the valley is used as an ornamental plant and in manufacturing of perfumes. There are also different kinds of cultivars that were bred from the naturally growing plant. As much as 38 cardiac glycosides have been found in lily of the valley which is why it has been used as a heart medicine for centuries.

As a least concern species, lily of the valley needs no conservation measures to secure its occurrence.