Species library · Plants & herbs

Lily of the Valley: deadly poisonous

Convallaria majalis

☠ Deadly poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Lily of the Valley is classed as deadly poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. When in doubt, have a find identified by an expert.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from January to December in the northern hemisphere. Found in Woodland. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Deadly poisonous
Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)

Photo: no rights reserved, uploaded by Vladimir · iNaturalist

When Lily of the Valley appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

Lily of the Valley is usually found in Woodland.

⚠ Look-alikes

Look up Lily of the Valley in the app

In the Forage app, Lily of the Valley has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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Lily of the Valley: common questions

Is Lily of the Valley poisonous?

Yes. Lily of the Valley is classed as deadly poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Lily of the Valley appear?

Lily of the Valley usually appears from January to December in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does Lily of the Valley grow?

Lily of the Valley is usually found in Woodland.

What can Lily of the Valley be confused with?

Deadly look-alikes: Autumn crocus, White false hellebore, Lords-and-ladies. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by an expert.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits