Convallaria majalis
Perennial plant. Creeping roots give rise to pairs of simple oval leaves up to 25cm long. Flowering stalks are leafless and have a one-sided, terminal inflorescence of drooping white bell-shaped flowers with a strong attractive scent. Fruit is a red globular berry with several seeds.
Do not confuse with lily of the valley tree.
Commonly cultivated in shady places in gardens.
Cardiac glycosides (convallarin, convallamarin and convallotoxin) act on the heart in a similar way to digoxin. Convallarium binds to Na pumps acting as a positive ionotrope (increasing contractility of the heart) which leads to the development of a rapid and irregular heart rate which may lead to ventricular fibrillation, conduction block and asystole. Glycosides also cause gastrointestinal tract irritation.
Mainly a danger to children who are attracted to the flowers and red berries. No reports of animal poisoning in NZ.
Abdominal pain with vomiting and diarrhoea. Blurred vision, delirium, decrease in pulse. Animal may go into cardiac failure and develop arrhythmias.
PM grossly distended heart, congestion of lungs and abdominal organs. Animals may be found dead with evidence of terminal convulsions.
From history, clinical signs, post mortem findings.
Stomach lavage, emetics, activated charcoal. Watch ECG and treat as necessary to control arrhythmias as in digoxin overdose, usually phenytoin.
Reasonable if animal survives first 24hrs.
Control access to plant or plant trimmings.
Conner H.E. The Poisonous Plants In New Zealand. 1992. GP Publications Ltd, Wellington
Cooper M R, Johnson A W. Poisonous Plants and Fungi in Britan: Animals and Human Poisoning. Her Majesty’s Stationary Office. London. 1998
Parton K, Bruere A.N. and Chambers J.P. Veterinary Clinical Toxicology, 2nd ed. 2001. Veterinary Continuing Education Publication No. 208
4 October, 2007
