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Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

The Lily of the Valley are in bloom right beneath my bedroom window.  I always have this dilemma: close the window to keep out the pollen and dust or leave it open so I can enjoy the fragrance.

If you Google this flower, you will learn of its "medicinal" uses.  I don't advise anyone play doctor with this pretty little plant.  All parts are poisonous so any medicinal value would have to come with fine print warnings or a rapidly stated list of potential side-effects, including death.  Oh...so it is just like any other modern day medical drug advertised these days!
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Comments

  1. MuffieMay 20, 2014 at 10:44 AM

    I have always loved lily of the valley, but I haven't been successful growing it. Enjoy yours while they last.

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  2. SextantMay 20, 2014 at 12:13 PM

    Yes, some of those advertisements from the medical/pharmaceutical industrial complex make having typical maladies sound like a walk in the park compared to the ill effects from the drugs. But I alway notice that sun shines and the people in the ads are smiling and happily consumed in some sort of relaxed domestic activity.

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  3. oklhdanMay 20, 2014 at 1:16 PM

    How true! Sometimes I think I'll just take my chances with the disease. Enjoy your flowers!!!!!!

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  4. Sally WesselyMay 20, 2014 at 1:43 PM

    So true. It is just like our modern drugs. I love these flowers. I just transplanted some from my Mom's house to my house. We'll see how they do. I hope the animals don't eat them and get sick. If those bunnies that destroy all my other flowers end up dead, I guess you can blame my lily of the valley. Truthfully, I think the bunnies and other animals are smarter than humans, they will not eat the flowers.

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  5. AnonymousMay 20, 2014 at 2:43 PM

    It is too bad that something so beautiful could be so poisonous. Who knew?

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  6. Arkansas PattiMay 20, 2014 at 3:17 PM

    I don't think I have ever had the pleasure. I usually take a pill and open the windows.
    I think the most disgusting side effect for a medicine i ever heard was that it could produce oily gas. Sheesh.

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  7. TaborMay 20, 2014 at 4:51 PM

    They are romantic and nostalgic and something we all recognize.

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  8. Linda ReederMay 21, 2014 at 1:43 AM

    Mine are past already, but I enjoyed the fragrance while it lasted.

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  9. TomMay 21, 2014 at 8:25 AM

    I love your smart, clever observation. But if the plant is poisonous, maybe that's the problem with the pollen?

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  10. fiftyoddMay 21, 2014 at 8:56 AM

    A lovely flower, but I always felt it didn't bottle well (re soaps and perfume sprays). When we were young that fragrance and Coty L'Aimant were all the rage.

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  11. Granny AnnieMay 21, 2014 at 9:16 AM

    Wouldn't play doctor with the plant but it is lovely.

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  12. Jenn JilksMay 21, 2014 at 9:02 PM

    I have some, too! I had a great time at the wedding, grandkids were adorable! Can't wait to do up photos! TTL

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  13. KayMay 22, 2014 at 2:16 AM

    Ahhh... I love lilies of the valley. I had a bed of them at our home in Illinois, but they spread into the lawn like wildfire. Granted they were fragrant wildfire. I loved it when my first graders would bring them in for me. Ahhhh.... the memories.

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  14. UnknownMay 22, 2014 at 4:22 PM

    I really miss lily of the valley. They are so beautiful and they really do remind me of my childhood. As for today's medicines -- I listen to some of the commercials and the 8 mile list of possible side effects and I wonder how anyone could be brave enough to take them!

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  15. Jenn JilksMay 25, 2014 at 6:08 PM

    Oh, yes! Me, too. I didn't remember I had them. Another bonus to old age!

    ReplyDelete

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