European Lily of the Valley

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Plant Family: Liliaceae (Lily)

Botanical Name: Convallaria majalis

Also called:

Duration: Perennial

Blooms: April

Location in Garden: MacNider Entrance (2005 – present)

Medicinal Uses: This plant has been known to affect heart rate by helping it function more efficiently. The leaves and flowers have been used to heal cardiac glycosides; convallotoxin, convallotoxol, convalloside, convallotoxoloside, convallarin, glucoconvalloside and convallamarin. The flavonoids act as a vasodilator and a diuretic so it is good to treat high blood pressure as well. The roots can be made into an ointment to treat burn scars. It is also used in aromatherapy to help with depression.  

Folklore/History: The flower is a symbol for humility in religious art and also represents Christ’s second coming. There is a legend that that describes it nightingale that did not come back to the woods until the flower bloomed every May.  

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