What plant commemorates the death of a dragon?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

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March 11, 2002

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Suggested Reading—>Click here.

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The lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis Linnaeus) is said to signify happiness. This European native perennial contains twenty cardioactive glycosides (having a specific action on the heart muscle);

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Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis) Clusters of fragrant white bells on 8-10" stems appear in mid to late spring amid emerald-green leaves. Spreads rapidly for an elegant ground cover. #1 field-grown plant. Deer tend to avoid. Click here for $20 off your order at Spring Hill Nursery!  [More bulbs...]  [All on sale...]

the most significant is convallatoxin.

In A Modern Herbal (1931), Mrs. M. Grieve states, "Lily-of-the-valley is valued as a cardiac tonic and diuretic. The action of the drug closely resembles that of Digitalis...used as a substitute and strongly recommended in valvular heart disease...in cases of cardiac debility and dropsy. The infusion...is taken in tablespoonful doses."

John Gerard in The Herbal (1633 ed.) recommended a similar recipe, except that he preferred wine substituted for water. In addition to "...comforteth the heart", Gerard added, "The flowers of May Lillies put into a glass, and set in a hill of ants close stopped for the space of a month and taken out, therein you shall find a liquor, that appeaseth the pain and grief of the gout, being outwardly applied...."

St. Leonard's forest in Sussex, England is a fragment of a once vast and ancient forest. Legends say that in the sixth century, St. Leonard, a French hermit, lived in the forest. He battled a monstrous dragon that lived in the wood.

Although he vanquished the dragon, St. Leonard was severely wounded. Wherever his blood dripped on the ground, lilies-of-the-valley sprang up to commemorate the victory.

The Arboretum of Salisbury University has a photograph of the lily-of-the-valley.

Click here to view the photograph

The Sussex Archaeology and Folklore website has more information on the dragons of Sussex. To read more about these "wondrous adders", click on the link:

http://www2.prestel.co.uk/aspen/sussex/dragon.html

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killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Suggested Reading:

What is digoxin? What's in a Name? - November 8, 2002
How did foxes use these gloves? What's in a Name? - November 1, 2002
Who taught doctors how to cure dropsy? Plants that Changed History - October 29, 2002
How did we learn how to use digitalis? Plants that Changed History - November 5, 2002
What plant commemorates the death of a dragon? Herbal Folklore - March 11, 2002

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