The Lily of the Valley, also known as May lily, is a poisonous flowering plant that grows in the forest.

It is a perennial herb with a flower-bearing stem without leaves. The inflorescence is a unilateral raceme with 3-20 fragrant, drooping flowers. The bloom is white and bell-shaped. It flowers in May and June. The fruit is a round red berry with blue seeds.

In Latvia, the lily of the valley is often found in forests, marshes, and shrubs. It is commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant in parks, gardens, and plantings.

The entire plant is toxic, and caution should be taken, especially with children, to avoid ingesting the berries. In cases of poisoning, irritation of the stomach and intestines may occur, leading to nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. The toxin is absorbed minimally in the intestines and is relatively quickly eliminated through the kidneys, leading to recovery. In severe cases, cardiac disturbances may occur.

Preparations from lily of the valley are used in the treatment of heart diseases. The cardiac glycosides present in the plant enhance cardiac contractions and have a calming effect on the central nervous system. Due to its toxicity, the plant should only be used under the supervision of healthcare professionals.

Photo: www.redzet.eu

Information sources: www.latvijasdaba.lv, Wikipedia, http://latvijas.daba.lv