Lily of the valley (Red book). Lily of the Valley - photos

A huge variety of plants often creates a deceptive impression of the inexhaustibility of flora on our planet. However, this is not at all the case. The multifaceted and comprehensive human activity in various industries directly affects negatively the state of plant biomass of the planet. That is why plants need protection from the most intelligent beings - people.

The Red Book of Russia

The Red Book of Russia was published in 1988 and since then its pages are constantly replenished with new names of plant and animal species. This is very sad, but, unfortunately, inevitable. If to give an accurate definition, then the Red Book is understood as a printed edition in the form of a book, on the pages of which all plants and animals that are protected by the state are listed as endangered (extinct), rare or already extinct (disappearing).

There are certain criteria by which this or that kind of plant is subject to inclusion in the Red Book.

1. Entry into the book is subject only to the rarest, small plants (endemic or narrow endemic species) throughout Russia.
2. Also types of important agricultural plants that may soon become threatened by extinction in the inaction of people are recorded.
3. In the book are carefully recorded subspecies and plant species (according to this criterion, the lily of the valley is listed in the Red Data Book).
4. The plant is entered on the pages only after careful examination and repeated confirmation by analytical and systematic methods.

Thus, the Red Book of plants in Russia (as well as animals) is the main document that preserves history, giving custody to species and protecting them by legislative means.

Plants that are listed in the Red Book

To date, the Red Book contains more than 550 plant species belonging to different classes, families and species. In general, the following data can be cited:

• Gymnosperms - 11 species;
• Flowering (angiosperms) - 440 species (including the plant from the Red Book of Lily of the Valley);
• Higher spore plants - 36 species;
• The lower spore lichens - 29 species;
• Representatives of the kingdom of mushrooms - 17 species.

Of course, the figures are frightening and unpleasant. If this goes on, our planet will become very poor on biomass. It is the planet, although it is about Russia. Looking at the map of the world, it's easy to see that the Russian Federation occupies a very large part of it.

Among the beautiful and beloved famous flowers, which are composed of songs and legends that are given to the wedding of brides and admired, the most famous are the following:

• Violet notched;
• The water-lily is yellow;
• Lily curly;
• Bell dolomitic;
• Iris yellow;
• Peony small-leaved ;
• Plant from the Red Book lily of the valley Keysuke.

More specifically, we will focus on lilies of the valley, because around their entry into the Red Book there is much debate about the appropriateness of this measure.

The reasons for placing the lily of the valley in the Red Book

Isolation of this species and the threat of extinction were the main reasons for the publication of the lily of the valley. Red book protects this tender and beautiful plant from those who want to just pick themselves a bouquet of lovely spring flowers. However, this does not help.

According to the latest data, the lily of the valley was excluded from the list, which is represented by the Red Book of Russia. Plants (lilies of the valley) are considered by those who have already sufficiently restored their numbers during the period of being under protection and, therefore, are not now under threat of extinction. Only in some parts of the country they are still under state protection.

Maybe this is so. But, looking at the masses of delicate little bunches with such fragrant and cute flowers that are ruthlessly torn off and sold in bundles in each flowering season, it is hard to believe that this is an exception to the lists for a long time. Maybe it was not worth it to do? It's hard for people to explain what a fragile and vulnerable plant is a lily of the valley. The Red Book was at everyone's ears, every schoolboy knew that it was impossible to tear lilies of the valley, because they are included in it. And now? Now freedom of access, which for nothing good will certainly not.

Lily of the valley: morphology

What kind of names they did not come up with for these little white fragrant flowers! Among them are:

• Lily of the valley Keyske;
• Lily of the valley May;
• Young;
• shirt;
• The culprit;
• Crow;
• Eye grass;
• Hare ears;
• May lily;
• Grassy grass;
• lumbago;
• Bells of Mary and some others.

In its appearance, the lily-of-the-valley flower is reminiscent of small white bells gathered in the inflorescence. The plant itself has two lanceolate large leaves that come out of the underground rhizome. Between the sheets stretches an arrow, on which flowers are collected. The plant is perennial, its height reaches 30-35 cm. It blossoms in the spring, therefore in many songs and romances, lily of the valley verses are associated with spring, with the revitalization of nature.

Distribution area

The growth of lilies of the valley requires the following climatic conditions:

• Not too sunny place (in forests where there is a blackout from trees);
• Moderately moist soil;
• Low enough for flowering kinds of temperature.

The period of flowering of the lily-of-the-valley occurs at the end of April-May, when the air is not yet warmed to mid-summer temperatures. Therefore it is difficult to call it a thermophilic flower. In this regard, the attitude to moisture is not too tremulous, just like the sun. Unpretentious and obedient perennial plant - lily of the valley May. The Red Book contains materials on the main places of its growth. They are as follows:

1. Caucasus.
2. North America.
3. Crimea.
4. European part of Russia.
5. The Far East of Russia.
6. Eastern part of Siberia.
7. Western Siberia.
8. Forests and forest-steppe of Europe.

Lily of the valley is listed in the Red Book for reasons already known to us. There you can find a description of the conditions in which this plant grows. Basically, these are forest edges, banks of small rivers, forests and meadows, thickets of bushes, and sometimes florets on flood meadows are found.

Origin

Where did the lily of the valley come from? The Red Book on this account says that as a cultural and ornamental plant, it has become known since 1525. However, legends and myths about lilies of the valley have much more ancient roots.

This flower belongs to the family Liliaceae and is represented by a single genus, which includes three species (this classification was introduced from 2013, before there were no differences in species):

• Lily of the valley May;
• Lily of the valley Keyske;
• Lily of the valley mountain.

All the morphological differences between these species are so insignificant that the representatives of each of them can hardly be distinguished from each other. As the Red Book of Russia says, Kaseke and Lily of the valley lily of the valley are considered to be the most vulnerable, so they are included in it.

Lily of the valley in mythology

There are several beautiful legends associated with these colors:

Ukrainian legend

One beautiful girl was waiting for the return of her lover from a military campaign. But he did not return, and she shed bitter tears, mourning his death. On the spot where her pearly tears dripped, and lilies of the valley appeared.

German legend

Lilies of the valley are the beads that Snow White scattered. They turned into small flashlights and light the way in the night to the little gnomes.

Ancient Scandinavian legend

Lily of the valley - a sacred flower, named after the goddess of the sun. He was worshiped, he was sacrificed to the gods, and in honor of him arranged beautiful folk festivals and celebrations.

Russian legend

The princess of the wolves, living at the bottom of the dark and cold sea, fell in love with the handsome handsome Sadko, who masterfully played the harp. But love was unrequited, because Sadko loved a simple Russian girl Lubava. So one day a princess of wolves came ashore and went for a walk in the forest to listen to the play on her lover's harp, but instead she saw happy lovers: Sadko and Lyubava. The princess cried bitterly from unrequited love, resentment and pride. Her tears, falling to the ground, turned into lovely and delicate flowers - lilies of the valley. Since then, they have become a symbol of faith, purity, fidelity and innocence.

There are other beliefs that speak about where the lily of the valley came from in May. The Red Book does not mention them, referring only to historical data.

Special components in the composition of the plant

Consider the main components that contain lily of the valley. The red book points to its special composition, since the plant is considered poisonous. It is not used to feed birds, but many animals readily consume beautiful bright orange-red fruits as a remedy for internal parasites.

Most of the internal contents in the flowers of the lily-of-the-valley are occupied by essential oils. If we talk about the component composition of stems and leaves, it is about 30 glycosides and alkaloids, the most significant of which are konvalatoxin and konvallatoskol. It is these ingredients that are of greatest importance for medical purposes for humans.

Application of the plant

There are several spheres in which a lily of the valley is applied. Red book description of these areas gives the following:

1. Decorative area in the human economy.
2. Medicine.
3. Animal food.
4. Perfumes and cosmetics.

The fact that the plant is used in decor is quite justified. One has only to look at the lilies of the valley. The photo shows how beautiful, neat and lovely the snow-white flowers are.

The perfume industry uses the essential oils that make up the plant to produce perfume, toilet water, fresheners and flavors.

Medicinal value

In medicine, lily of the valley is also relevant. Red book description of this parameter gives this: from special components of the lily-of-the-valley effective cardiac drops are made, the excessive or incorrect use of which can lead to serious serious consequences.

In 1881, as a medicinal plant, a lily of the valley was added to the corresponding lists. The red book also includes this flower for this reason. Scientist Zelenin has been isolated extract, capable of relaxing the heart muscle with spasm. Since then, lily of the valley tincture and heart drops have been widely used.