Lilies of the valley - rare flowers listed in the Red Book. There are several interesting facts related to them. It was established that even 2 thousand years ago, the Egyptians grew them year-round. They began to be cultivated in Europe in the 16th century, and in Russia at 18. Before that, he was going exclusively for medical purposes (treatment of fever, epilepsy). In World War I, it was used as an antidote for gas attacks. Finland chose this flower as its symbol.
Perennial herbaceous plants are common in the temperate zone. Grow in shaded areas.
If the soil is well moistened, they form whole glades. Once in such a place, you involuntarily freeze from unusual beauty and wonderful aroma. Because of the small buds and thin stems, the lilies of the valley are often called a forest bell, a T-shirt and a rejuvenating flower.
Bouquets of these delicate inflorescences symbolize affection, love and gratitude.
Description of the lily of the valley, how it looks, photo
Lily of the valley is ranked as a subfamily of the Nolinovs. The issue of a more accurate classification is still controversial. Contrary to popular belief, there are several varieties. Between them there are minimal differences and a lot in common.
The root system is quite well developed. Thanks to the many small processes, the plant receives the necessary trace elements and water. On the rhizome are the nodes from which the leaves grow. Outwardly, they resemble olive and dark purple small scales.
The first pair of leaves is formed from the top of the root. Flowering occurs once every 2-3 years. Corollas occur in plants whose age is not less than 7 years. Peduncle develops over several years. After the root system is divided into several parts, resulting in the formation of young plants.
The perennial height usually does not exceed 30 cm. Aboveground shoots do not differ in impressive length. The stem grows from the corner of that leaf, which is located below all the others.
A brush with small snow-white corollas is located on the flower-bearing part. On one plant, from 6 to 20 bell-shaped flowers can be found. They are rotated in the same direction. Additional features include the presence of bent pedicels and denticles on the corolla.
Fruits - orange berries of a round shape, appear after the plant has faded (in the first summer months). Inside the original box is one or two seeds.
New plants are obtained using seeds and rhizomes. Decorative varieties differ from wild varieties in larger corollas. The rhizome in both cases is creeping. The shape of the flowers is drooping, in the bells are short stamens.
Lilies of the valley are poisonous, therefore, applying them for various purposes, extreme care must be taken.
Types and varieties of lily of the valley: May and others
Researchers often argue about the category of lilies of the valley.
Some consider it to be of the same type of plants. Others believe that they can be divided into several varieties, focusing on differences in structure and place of growth. The classification system will be as follows.
| View | Description | Leaves | Flowers |
| May | Grows on the forest edges. The root system is horizontal. Height 30 cm. Lilies of the valley give a very pleasant aroma. Red-red fruits appear in autumn, their size does not exceed 9 mm. Flowering begins in May. These plants can be found in Europe, Transcaucasia, Russia. | Spicy. | They are on the bandwagon. There are teeth. The color of the corollas is white. |
| Mountain | Grows in the mountainous regions of North America. Short stalk, branching rhizome. The fruits are colored reddish-orange. Their diameter is 9 mm. | Length - 40 cm width - about 4 cm. | The inflorescence consists of 5-15 flowers of a wide-bell-shaped form. |
| Keyske | The distribution area includes North America, Siberia, Sakhalin. The plant has a low brown stalk (about 20 cm), a developed fibrous rhizome. | Length - 15 cm. | Large buds, the maximum number is 10 corollas. |
Breeders based on these varieties created varieties:
| Grade | Features |
| Albostriata | On the leaves are decorative beige stripes. |
| Aurea | Yellow leaf blades. |
| Flora Pleno | Plant height - 30 cm, 12 large terry whisk. Inflorescences are white. |
| Grandi Flora (Grandiflora) | It is characterized by the presence of large leaves. It emits an alluring aroma. |
| Green Tapestry (Green Tapestry) | Leaf blades of light green hue. |
| Hofheim | The leaves of this variety of rim have a pale brown color. Inflorescences have a dazzling white hue. |
| Prolificans | The flowering period lasts 60 days. On one flower is located many small corollas. The plant is stunted. |
| Pink (Rosea) | It is characterized by an unusual pale pink color. On the cyst is from 12 to 14 buds. |
| Aurea Variegata (Aureovariegata) | Longitudinal sand strips on the leaves. |
| Victor Ivanovich | Plant height - 50 cm. The inflorescence consists of large corollas. On the stem you can find from 9 to 19 white buds. After the flowering period (about 20 days), bright red berries appear. |
Landing and breeding lily of the valley
To plant a flower, there is no need for special skills.
Location
The first step is to select a place. The soil should be neutral and fertile. Lilies of the valley love the shadow, so you should choose a site that is protected from direct sunlight.
Soil must first be plowed, add organic and mineral fertilizers to it.
Planting dates and methods for obtaining new lilies of the valley
Landing in open soil is carried out during the first two autumn months. For reproduction, use rudiments or rhizomes with kidneys.
The prepared culture is planted in rows. Between the bushes necessarily leave a gap that cannot be less than 9 cm.
Seeds are placed in the soil in spring. The garden is sure to be watered. Sprouts appear sprinkled with soil. The layer thickness should not exceed 2 cm.
Distillation
Spend with garden varieties of lilies of the valley. Thus achieve their off-season flowering. Field varieties are not recommended for experimentation. Harvested stems are placed in a container with sand. Parts of the plant are placed vertically. In winter, the boxes should be insulated, for example, with straw.
A mandatory step is the processing of lilies of the valley. It is carried out using wet cultures. For 3 weeks, the sprouts are kept at zero temperature (+/- 1 ° C). On the 22nd day they are placed in warm water.
When forcing wild-growing (field) grass into the box, soil is poured into which organic fertilizers are applied. The kidneys must remain on the surface. After adding warm water, the soil is tossed with moss.
Mr. Summer resident informs: useful properties of lily of the valley
Lily of the valley - is widely used in medicine, cosmetology.
The medicine
The healing properties of these flowers are due to their composition. Plants contain cardiac glycosides, organic acids, micro and macro elements. Medicines based on the extract have a positive effect on the liver, thyroid gland, central nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract.
With proper use of drugs, there is an improvement in heart function, stabilization of the general condition, elimination of pain and spasms, normalization of water balance.
Lily of the valley is used in the treatment of viral and colds pathologies. When preparing the medicine, the terrestrial parts of the plant are used.
It should be noted that berries, rhizome, altered shoots and seeds are poisonous.
Application in cosmetology
Lily of the valley oil is used to create cosmetics, through which:
- struggling with stagnation;
- increase skin tone;
- strengthen the walls of blood vessels;
- stabilize microcirculation;
- cleanse the pores.
Thanks to their regular use, the skin becomes smooth and well-groomed, and the hair becomes shiny and supple. On the basis of the ethereal composition make tonics, creams, masks for hair and face. This list can be supplemented with perfume compositions. They are distinguished by tenderness, sophistication and freshness.
Contraindications
The following pathologies are present in the list of absolute restrictions:
- liver and kidney dysfunction;
- heart failure;
- gastric and duodenal ulcer;
- gastritis;
- cardiosclerosis;
- endocarditis.
Hypersensitivity to the extract, exacerbation of chronic ailments, childhood, lactation, pregnancy can be a good reason for refusing drugs and cosmetics based on lily of the valley.
Self-medication is strictly prohibited.
