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Svenska
Lily-of-the-valley
Convallaria majalis
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Lily-of-the-valley is a low woodland plant known for its sweetly scented white bell flowers in early summer. It often forms wide patches and is also grown in gardens. All parts are very poisonous, especially the bright red berries that follow the flowers.
Did you know?
- Finland’s national flower.
- The flowers have no nectar; their strong perfume attracts insects.
About the species
Identification
A low plant, 15–25 cm tall. Usually two broad, tongue‑shaped leaves, 10–20 cm long; smooth-edged and green, paler below. From between them rises a leafless stalk with a one‑sided row of 6–12 nodding, white, bell‑shaped flowers with a strong sweet scent. Later it bears small round red berries. All parts are very poisonous. Unlike wild garlic, it has no onion smell and has dangling white bells, not starry clusters; it also differs from Solomon’s‑seals, which have many leaves on an arching stem. Flowers in May–June.
Plant group
Herbaceous plants
Habitat
heath forest
Toxicity
A poisonous plant – do not taste it. Source: HUS Poison Information Centre (Finland), tel. 0800 147 111.
Flowering
May–Jun
About the habitat
Grows in light to shady woods and forest edges, along paths and roadsides, and in meadow-like clearings. Prefers fairly rich, moist soils and often spreads into large colonies. Common in most of Finland; rare in southern and central Lapland, absent in northern Lapland.
Sources
Photo: Agnes Monkelbaan, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lelietje-van-dalen of meiklokje (Convallaria majalis). 14-05-2021 (actm.) 01.jpg
Text: Pinkka: Yläkoulun Pinkka - Lehto, CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.39970
Text: Pinkka: BIO-503 Suomen kasvisto ja kasvillisuus - Metsät: kuivahkot kankaat, CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.39970
Text: Pinkka (Luomus), CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.39970
Text: Wikipedia (Finnish), CC BY-SA 4.0 https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kielo
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