Species guide

Lily of the valley

Toxic if eaten

Convallaria majalis

Lily of the valley
Photo: Анна Митрошенкова · CC BY

How to recognise it

A pair of broad, glossy leaves and an arching stem hung with small, white, nodding bell flowers with a sweet scent; small red berries form later.

Is it dangerous?

All parts are poisonous if eaten, affecting the heart. It's notably toxic to dogs and cats.

Commonly confused with

  • Wild garlic (ramsons) smells strongly of garlic — lily of the valley does not

What to do

Keep pets and children away. Seek vet or medical care promptly if any part is eaten.

Never decide what's safe to eat or touch from a photo or a web page. Identification here is for learning and curiosity only. For anything you might eat, handle or that could harm you or a pet, consult a qualified local expert — and seek medical or veterinary care if exposure has happened.

Recorded 474,351 times in the wild worldwide.

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