Lily-of-the-valley
General poisoning notes:
Lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis) is a perennial outdoor ornamental herb. The plant contains cardiac glycosides as well as saponins. There are some references in the literature that mention poisoning and death in humans after accidental ingestion of the berries and leaves, and even by drinking the water that the plants were kept in. Frohne and Pfander (1983) suggest that serious cases are unlikely to occur because the glycosides are poorly absorbed. They cast doubt on the report of poisoning by ingesting water that lily-of-the- valley was standing in because experiments with animals did not substantiate these reports. However, in spite of these reservations, some cases of human poisoning are mentioned in the literature, and so these plants should be considered potentially poisonous. Because of the cardiac glycosides and saponins found in this plant, animals that have access to the plant material may be poisoned. Certainly, ingesting large quantities of lily-of-the-valley can cause problems to family pets such as cats and dogs.
Nomenclature:
Scientific Name: Convallaria majalis L.
Vernacular name(s): lily-of-the-valley
Scientific family name: Liliaceae
Vernacular family name: lily
Convallaria majalis L.
Geographic Information
Plant or plant parts used in or around the home.
Toxic parts:
All parts,flowers, leaves, mature fruit, roots.
Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:
Convallotoxin is one of the most toxic naturally occurring substances affecting the heart. These glycosides cause irregularities in heart action (Cooper and Johnson 1984).
Toxic plant chemicals:
Convallatoxin, convalloside.
Convallatoxin
Animals/Human Poisoning:
Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.
Cats
Dogs
Humans
General symptoms of poisoning:
Abdominal pains, gastroenteritis, headache, nausea, pupil dilation, vomiting.
Notes on poisoning:
Symptoms of ingestion include irregular heart rate and cold and clammy skin. Coma and death from heart failure may occur if enough plant material is ingested (Cooper and Johnson 1984).
