- The lily of the valley - a profile
- The roots of the lily of the valley are rhizomes
- Risk of confusion with wild garlic
- Lily of the valley and snowdrop are very similar
Lilies of the valley are rightly named because their main flowering period is in May. The intensely fragrant spring flower is therefore a popular gift for Mother's Day. Unfortunately, the flower is very poisonous and should therefore not be grown in gardens with children or pets.
The lily of the valley is also called Mary of the valley
The lily of the valley - a profile
- Botanical name: Convallaria majalis
- popular names: Marienglöckchen, Maieriesli
- Plant Family: Asparagus family
- Origin: native flowering plant
- Distribution area: 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, similar to lancets
- Leaf color: medium to dark green, cultivated forms have a light edge
- Flower shape: Bell-shaped, up to 10 bells per stem
- Flower color: mostly white, occasionally pink, also double
- Flowering period: late April to early June
- Fruits: red berries in autumn
- Root: Rhizomes, not bulbs
- Propagation: seeds, root division
- Hardiness: absolutely hardy
- Toxicity: highly toxic in all parts of the plant
- Use as a medicinal plant: heart strengthening, dizziness, eye diseases
- Conservation: protected in some parts of Europe and Germany
The roots of the lily of the valley are rhizomes
Even though lily of the valley can be found among flower bulbs in stores, it is not a bulbous plant. The lily of the valley forms rhizomes. These are thickened roots that store nutrients.
Risk of confusion with wild garlic
Lily of the valley must not be eaten under any circumstances, neither leaves, flowers nor the red berries. Unfortunately, the elongated leaves look very similar to wild garlic. Mixing up the two plants can lead to serious poisoning.
In contrast to lily of the valley, wild garlic leaves give off a strong smell of garlic. Lily of the valley leaves are almost odorless.
A striking feature of wild garlic is the fact that the stalks only have one leaf, while lily of the valley has two or three leaves.
Lily of the valley and snowdrop are very similar
However, there is no risk of confusion between lily of the valley and snowdrop. Snowdrops also have white flowers, but they are not fragrant.
In addition, snowdrops have long faded by the time the lilies of the valley begin to sprout and bloom.
tips
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 damp and shady locations. Majalis is derived from May, the plant's main flowering season.