LILY OF THE VALLEY. UDMURT REPUBLIC

The symbol of musical Udmurtia is the lily of the valley (also called May bells). This flower's theme is closely associated with the great native of Udmurtia, the world's most performed composer, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Lily of the valley was his favorite flower, perhaps because it bloomed around his birthday, May 7th, in the forest clearings around his hometown of Votkinsk.

The lily of the valley has become the true soul and brand of Udmurtia, the musical symbol of the region. The image of this flower is often found on postcards and festival emblems associated with the name of composer P.I. Tchaikovsky. Many events celebrating the composer take place during the flowering period of the lily of the valley.

The lily of the valley belongs to the asparagus family. It is widespread almost all over the world. All members of the lily of the valley genus are poisonous. In Russian scientific medicine, the use of three types of raw materials (grass, leaves, and flowers) from all types of lilies of the valley growing in the country is permitted.

Lily of the valley is used not only as an ornamental plant but also as a medicinal one. For these purposes, the grass and flowers of the lily of the valley are used. Parts of the lily of the valley contain glycosides, which are used to produce cardiotonic drugs that positively affect heart activity. Additionally, a flavonoid preparation derived from the lily of the valley is used as a choleretic agent.

The flowers of the lily of the valley are also needed in the perfume industry, where an essential oil with a pleasant aroma is extracted from them.

The lily of the valley is listed in the Red Data Book of the Udmurt Republic, with only a few natural habitats left. However, gardeners in Udmurtia have learned to cultivate lilies of the valley in dachas and garden plots, and today, small bouquets of these delicate white flowers can be bought as gifts for loved ones.