Practical
Plants

Convallaria majalis

Lily Of The Valley

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.15 m
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Self

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

All parts of the plant are poisonous[28][2][12]. However, the toxic principle is very poorly absorbed when taken orally so poisoning is unlikely to occur[27]. The leaves can be a mild skin irritant[16].

Edible uses

A wine can be prepared from the flowers, mixed with raisins[11].

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

Lily of the valley has a long and proven reputation in herbal medicine in the treatment of heart complaints. It contains the glycosides convallarin and convallamarin which are powerful cardiac tonics and diuretics and are also used in allopathic medicine[21]. However, because of the plants potential toxic properties it should never be used without expert advice[29]. All parts of the plant are antispasmodic, cardiotonic, strongly diuretic, emetic, febrifuge, laxative and sedative[25][28][29][15][26][8][17][23]. The plant is usually harvested when in flower and can be dried for later use[25], though it is stronger acting when fresh[19]. The inflorescence is said to be the most active medicinally and is often harvested separately[25]. An infusion of the flowers and roots is a digitalis substitute (obtained from Digitalis species), though less powerful, that is especially useful in the treatment of valvula heart diseases, cardiac debility, dropsy and chronic lung problems such as emphysema[25][17][23]. Lily of the valley encourages the heart to beat more slowly, regularly and efficiently, at the same time it is strongly diuretic, reducing blood volume and lowering blood pressure[23]. Its effect is less cumulative than digitalis which makes it safer for elderly patients[19]. It is often prescribed combined with the fruits of Crataegus spp[19]. An ointment made from the roots is used in the treatment of burns and to prevent scar tissue[17].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Cardiotonic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Sedative

Material uses

An essential oil is obtained from the flowers[26][10]. It is used in perfumery and for snuff[19]. A green dye is obtained from the leaves in spring[5][6][4]. A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves in autumn[6]. Plants can be grown as a ground cover in woodland shade or in a shrubbery[13][14].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Essential

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia to Spain east to N.E. Asia, Greece and the Caucasus.
Habitat
Dry shady woodland, usually on calcareous soils[28][5][9], and especially in ash woodlands[25].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, otherwise in late winter, in a cold frame[7]. Germination, particularly of stored seed can be very slow, taking 2 - 12 months or more at 15°c[7]. Sow the seed thinly so that the seedlings can be allowed to grow on undisturbed in the pot for their first year. Apply a liquid feed during the growing season to ensure that the seedlings are well fed. Divide the young plants into individual pots when they die down in late summer and grow them on in pots in a shady position in a cold frame for at least another year before planting them out into their permanent positions when they are dormant[K]. Division in September[3]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Cultivation

Succeeds in almost any situation, including the dense dry shade of large trees[1][25][20]. Prefers a position in semi-shade in a moderately fertile well-drained moist woodland soil[13][14]. Grows well in heavy clay, sand or chalky soils[14]. Dislikes pure clay soils and boggy sites[18]. Plants are hardy to -20°c or lower[13]. A polymorphic species[13]. It is a very ornamental plant, though it can become very invasive once it is established[24]. Plants can take a couple of years to become established[14]. There are several named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[18]. The flowers are sweetly scented[22]. Lily of the valley is occasionally cultivated as a medicinal plant for herbalists and allopaths. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[18]. A good bee plant[25].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Altmann. H. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-7011-2526-8

    ↩

  3. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩

  4. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

    ↩

  5. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩1↩2

  6. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩1↩2

  7. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  8. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  9. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  10. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

    ↩

  11. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  12. Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3

    ↩

  13. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  14. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  15. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

  16. Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods.

    ↩

  17. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3

  18. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  19. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  20. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

    ↩

  21. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩

  22. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  23. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3

  24. Knight. F. P. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-900629-78-9

    ↩

  25. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  26. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  27. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

  28. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  29. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2

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