Scientific Name
Convallaria majalis
Common Name
Lily-of-the-valley

TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.

Characteristics

Family
Liliaceae
Plant Description
Perennial herb from a slender rhizome; leaves 2 or 3, basal; flowers in a 1-sided, slender cluster, each small, nodding, aromatic, white, and bell-shaped; fruit a red berry but seldom formed.
Origin
Eurasia.
Where Found
Houseplant or interiorscape; landscape in flower garden as cultivated herbaceous perennial.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
All parts.
Symptoms
Irregular and slow pulse, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Toxic Principle
Cardiac glycosides and saponins.
Severity
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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