Can I eat lily of the valley?
Quick Answer
No
Lily of the valley is highly poisonous if ingested. It contains cardiac glycosides, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and even heart problems.
What Is It?
Lily of the valley is a sweetly scented, highly poisonous woodland flowering plant that is native throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere in Asia and Europe.
Historical Context
Historically, lily of the valley has been used for medicinal purposes, but due to its high toxicity, it is rarely used today.
How to Tell
Symptoms of lily of the valley poisoning can include redness or sores where the plant touched the skin, burning of the mouth and throat, fever, and irregular heartbeat.
Why It Can Be Risky
Ingesting lily of the valley poses serious health risks due to its high toxicity.
Risks include potential heart problems, digestive upset, and in severe cases, death.
Safe Alternatives
If you’re looking for edible flowers, consider alternatives like nasturtiums, violets, or marigolds.