Home > Herbs > Convallaria Majalis

lily-of-the-valley

Convallaria majalis · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Extensive (276 studies) · ★★★★★

Lily-of-the-valley, scientifically known as Convallaria majalis, is a delicate perennial prized for its fragrant, bell-shaped white flowers. While widely used in perfumery, it is a potent medicinal plant containing cardiac glycosides. Historically utilized for heart ailments, it must be handled with extreme caution due to its high toxicity.

Family
Asparagaceae
Native range
Europe
Parts used
Rhizomes
Common names
European Lily-Of-The-Valley · Lily-Of-The-Valley · 3 more
Scientific synonyms
Convallaria Majalis Var. Transcaucasica · Convallaria Majalis F. Abchasica · 27 more

Names

Common Names

Regional and Traditional Names

Spanish:

  • Lirio de Nuestra Señora
  • Lirio de los valles
  • Polygonatum majale
  • Lirio convalio
  • Convallaria mappii
  • Lilium convallium majale
  • Convallaria linnaei
  • Convallaria fragrans
  • Convallaria latifolia
  • Convallaria transcaucasica
  • Lilium convallium
  • Lagrimas de Salomón
  • Lágrimas de Salomón
  • Lágrimas de Salomon
  • Lirio de Nuestra Senora
  • Lagrimas de Salomon
  • Muguet
  • Convalaria
  • Mugueto
  • Convallaria scaposa
  • Convallaria bracteata
  • Majanthemum majale
  • Lilium-convallium majale
  • Muguete
  • lirio salvaje
  • Lirio del Valle
  • convalaria
  • muguete

German:

  • Maiglöckchen
  • Convallaria keiskei
  • Maierisli
  • Maiglöckerl
  • Gazon du Parnasse
  • Larmes de sainte Marie
  • Lis de mai
  • Lis des vallées
  • Lys de mai
  • Lys des vallées
  • Grillet
  • Muguet
  • Maiglöckchen
  • Maigloeckchen
  • Meierisli

French:

  • Muguet de mai
  • muguet
  • lys de mai
  • grillet
  • gazon du Parnasse
  • larmes de sainte Marie
  • lis de mai
  • lis des vallées
  • lys des vallées
  • muguet commun
  • Convallaria maialis
  • muguet
  • muguet commun
  • muguet de mai

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Convallaria majalis

Synonyms

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Convallaria majalis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Asparagales and the family Asparagaceae. It is further categorized under the genus Convallaria.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Asparagales WCVP
Family Asparagaceae WCVP
Genus Convallaria WCVP

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several regions within Northern Europe. Its presence can be documented in the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. It also thrives within the natural landscapes found throughout Finland. Furthermore, the species is commonly observed growing across Great Britain. Finally, its geographical range extends to the scenic terrains of Ireland and Norway.

Region Area Source
Northern Europe Denmark WCVP
Northern Europe Finland WCVP
Northern Europe Great Britain WCVP
Northern Europe Ireland WCVP
Northern Europe Norway WCVP
Northern Europe Sweden WCVP
Middle Europe Austria WCVP
Middle Europe Belgium WCVP
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia WCVP
Middle Europe Germany WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, commonly known as lily of the valley, possesses various components that contribute to its botanical profile, but it is particularly noted for its underground structures. The most significant part used in various traditional applications is the rhizomes, which consist of horizontal, fleshy stems that grow beneath the soil surface. These rhizomes serve as the primary storage organs for the plant, housing the essential chemical compounds that define its medicinal characteristics.
Plant Part Sources Confidence
rhizomes Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Convallaria majalis has 36 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CALCIUM OXALATE, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Canescin, Cardenolides, Cheirotoxin.

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
CALCIUM OXALATE Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
CHLOROGENIC ACID Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Canescin Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Cardenolides Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Cheirotoxin Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Cheirotoxol Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Chelidonic acid Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Convallamarin Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Convallamarogenin Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Convallamaroside Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Convallaria majalis has 235 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cardiotonic, 5-HT-Inhibitor, Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allelochemic.

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Cardiotonic Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
5-HT-Inhibitor Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Allelochemic Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Allelopathic Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Allergenic Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Alpha-Amylase-Inhibitor Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Analgesic Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
AntiCVI Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Convallaria majalis has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diabetes mellitus, hyperphagia, polydipsia.

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
diabetes mellitus Diabetologia (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
hyperphagia Diabetologia (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
polydipsia Diabetologia (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆