Lily of the Valley: A Charming but Dangerous Plant
Lily of the valley is a beautiful woodland flower with nodding white or pink blooms and a sweet fragrance. However, behind its charming exterior lies a potential danger: lily of the valley is poisonous.
Is Lily of the Valley Safe for Gardens?
While lily of the valley is a popular landscape plant, it is important to be aware of its toxicity. All parts of the plant, including the flowers, stems, and roots, contain cardiac glycosides, which can disrupt the heart’s rhythm.
Children and pets are particularly vulnerable to lily of the valley poisoning. Even ingesting a small amount of the plant can cause serious health problems, including:
- Stomach ache
- Blurred vision
- Slow and irregular pulse
- Seizures
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Heart arrhythmia
- Death
If you have children or pets, it is best to avoid planting lily of the valley in your garden. If you do have the plant, be sure to keep it out of reach of children and animals.
Toxicity of Lily of the Valley
Lily of the valley is classified as a “1” on the poison scale, which means it has major toxicity that can lead to death. It is also a “3” due to its often severe dermatitis.
The main toxic glycosides in lily of the valley are convallatoxin and convallamarin. These glycosides inhibit the heart’s pumping activity, which can lead to cardiac arrest.
In addition to cardiac glycosides, lily of the valley also contains saponins, which have not been well researched and whose method of action are not fully understood. However, saponins are known to be toxic to cells.
Symptoms of Lily of the Valley Poisoning
The symptoms of lily of the valley poisoning can vary depending on the amount of the plant that was ingested and the individual’s sensitivity to the toxins.
Common symptoms include:
- Stomach ache
- Blurred vision
- Slow and irregular pulse
- Seizures
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Heart arrhythmia
- Death
If you suspect that someone has ingested lily of the valley, call 911 immediately. Even a small amount of the plant can be fatal, especially to children and pets.
Treatment for Lily of the Valley Poisoning
There is no specific antidote for lily of the valley poisoning. Treatment will focus on supporting the patient’s vital functions and preventing complications.
Treatment may include:
- Gastric lavage (pumping the stomach)
- Activated charcoal to absorb the toxins
- Intravenous fluids to maintain blood pressure
- Medications to regulate the heart rhythm
- Oxygen therapy
- Mechanical ventilation
Prevention of Lily of the Valley Poisoning
The best way to prevent lily of the valley poisoning is to avoid contact with the plant. If you have lily of the valley in your garden, be sure to keep it out of reach of children and animals.
If you are working with lily of the valley, wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Avoid touching your eyes or mouth after handling the plant.
If you suspect that someone has ingested lily of the valley, call 911 immediately. Even a small amount of the plant can be fatal, especially to children and pets.
