While its scent may seem sweet — delivering the uplifting, fresh notes of a flower in bloom — in plant form, Lily of the Valley is poisonous and should not be ingested by humans or animals (smelling it is totally safe!).
The flowers, fruit, and leaves of the lily of the valley plant are poisonous.
Contact with lily of the valley plants, especially the bulbs, can cause skin irritation like rashes, blisters, swelling, and bumps in some people. Because of this, it's best to wear gloves and full-coverage clothing when handling this plant.
That's because of a fragrant compound called linalool--most lilies emit linalool, and often more intensely in the evening. This little fragrant compound is extra-special because it is one big way we can decrease stress and increase feel-good feelings.
Ingesting lilies can be harmful and may cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, and dehydration. In severe cases, lily poisoning can cause kidney failure, which can be life-threatening. If you suspect your child has ingested a lily, seek medical attention immediately.
Lily toxicity can cause vomiting, diarrhea, kidney failure, and even death - and it only takes a small amount of the plant to do serious damage.
Even the smallest amounts ingested can be fatal. Ingested pollen, flower water or soil in which lilies grow, can sometimes even lead to symptoms of poisoning.
The lily family is mostly pollen-free so they won't cause pollen allergies. However, be careful because both Oriental and Stargazer lilies carry an intense aroma. That strong scent might trigger people who get migraines or are sensitive to fragrances.
The scent of lily of the valley is fresh, spring-like, light, watery, slightly jasmine, floral, crisp green.
An olfactory hallucination (phantosmia) makes you detect smells that aren't really there in your environment. The odors you notice in phantosmia are different from person to person and may be foul or pleasant. You may notice the smells in one or both nostrils.
All parts of the plant are poisonous, with the greatest concentration of cardenolides being in the roots. The attractive red berries are the commonest source of poisoning in children. The cardenolides have a digitalis-like activity, causing cardiac conduction disturbances.
Lily-of-the-valley is an ancient-woodland-indicator plant. If you spot it while you're out exploring, it could be a sign you're standing in a rare and special habitat.
The Lily of the Valley is generally regarded to represent a return of happiness. Lily of the Valley is also symbolic of motherhood, humility, and virtue due to its connection with the Virgin Mary. Lily of the Valley is historically associated with May Day and is given as a symbol of good luck and prosperity.
Lily of the valley poisoning symptoms
Even contact with the plant can cause skin and eye irritation. If any part of a lily of the valley plant is ingested, keep an eye out for the following symptoms: Chest tightness. Diarrhoea.
5 Lily-of-the-valley
These tiny, white bell-like shaped flowers pack a potent, sweet-smelling scent despite its small size, but just a bite can cause headaches, hot flushes, hallucinations and irritability – not to mention red blotches of cold, clammy skin.
Lily of the valley is highly poisonous and originates in Eurasia. Although it is toxic, it is popular in gardens and the perfume industry for its charming flowers and fragrance.
In aromatherapy, lily of the valley is used to relieve depression and all those negative thoughts. Through the use of the essential oil, users will often experience a feeling of happiness, comfort and security, helping them feel much more positive and at ease with life.
In Germanic mythology, lily of the valley flowers have been associated with the humility and purity of the virgin goddess Ostara. In Christian legend, Eve's tears turned into lilies of the valley as she was expelled from the Garden of Eden.
In general, Oriental lilies have a strong, classic lily smell while Asiatic lilies are unscented. Here are a few examples: Stargazer: strong and sweet. Tiger Lily: sweet, slightly less intense than stargazer and other oriental varieties.
One thing to note: Peace lilies are toxic to pets and small children who like to chew on leaves. Parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate, which can lead to stomach and breathing difficulties if ingested. (Similar plants containing calcium oxalate are daffodils, hyacinths, true lilies, and philodendrons).
Are all lilies toxic? Peace and Calla lilies are not thought to be deadly, but they are poisionous, and can cause mouth and throat irritation and, therefore wretching, vomiting and drooling are common signs, the irritation needs to be treated.
Many people have allergic reactions to both the pollen of English lavender and to its odor. Plants with the fragrant blossoms that bloom in clusters of small flowers are often especially likely to cause nasal allergies, since they tend to be wind pollinators.
For people with hay fever, also known as “allergic rhinitis,” breathing in pollen can cause sneezing, congestion, and a runny nose. Pollen exposure can also result in “allergic conjunctivitis” in some individuals, causing red, watery, or itchy eyes.
Threat: Just 2-3 leaves, or even the pollen groomed off the fur, can result in poisoning in a cat.
The flowers, leaves, and stems of the peace lily contain very small, insoluble calcium oxalate crystal that can cause immediate mouth and throat irritation if chewed or swallowed.