Lily of the valley
Convallaria keiskei

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

A herb. It is 18-30 cm high. The leaf stalks are 8-20 cm long. The leaf blade is oval and 7-20 cm long by 3-8.5 cm wide. The base is wedge shaped and it tapers to the tip. The flowers are white. The fruit is a berry. It is red at maturity. It is 6-12 mm across. POISONOUS.

Authorities differ over whether there is one or three Convallaria species. It is used in medicine. Also put in the family Convallariaceae.

Where it is found

Temperate. It grows in moist places in forests on shady hillsides between 800-2500 m altitude in N China. It suits hardiness zones 3-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Europe, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Myanmar, Russia, SE Asia, Siberia, Spain, Turkey

How it is used for food

Caution: This plant may well be poisonous. It contains glycoside compounds which stimulate the heartbeat.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, poisonous

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Some authorities consider it the same as Convallaria majalis