The huge variety of plants often creates a deceptive impression of the inexhaustible flora on our planet. However, this is not at all true. The multifaceted and comprehensive human activity in various industries directly affects the state of plant biomass in the most direct way. That is why plants need protection from the most intelligent creatures - humans.
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 you give an exact definition, then the Red Book means a printed edition in the form of a book, on the pages of which all plants and animals are listed that are under state protection as endangered (endangered), rare or already extinct (extinct).
There are certain criteria by which a particular type of plant is subject to entry in the Red Book.
- Only the rarest, fewest plants (endemic or narrowly endemic species) throughout Russia are subject to entry into the book.
- The species of important agricultural plants are also introduced, which may soon be endangered by inaction of people.
- Carefully isolated subspecies and plant species are entered in the book (according to this criterion, lily of the valley is listed in the Red Book).
- The plant is entered on the pages only after a thorough study and repeated confirmation by analytical and systematic methods.
Thus, the Red Book of Russian plants (as well as animals) is the main document preserving history, giving custody of species and protecting them by legislative means.
Plants that are listed in the Red Book
To date, more than 550 species of plants belonging to different classes, families and species have been placed in the Red Book. In general, the following data can be cited:
- gymnosperms - 11 species;
- flowering (angiosperms) - 440 species (including a plant from the Red Book of lily of the valley);
- higher spore plants - 36 species;
- lower spore lichens - 29 species;
- representatives of the kingdom mushrooms - 17 species.
Of course, the numbers are frightening and unpleasant. If this goes on, our planet will become very poor in biomass. It is the planet, although we are talking about Russia. Looking at the world map, it is easy to make sure that the Russian Federation occupies a very significant part of it.
Among the beautiful and beloved famous flowers, which are composed of songs and legends that are presented to the bride's wedding and admired, the most famous are the following:
- incised violet;
- water lily yellow;
- curly lily;
- dolomite bell;
- iris yellow;
- thin-leaved peony;
- plant from the Red Book lily of the valley Keiske.
Let us dwell on lilies of the valley in more detail, because there is much debate surrounding their inclusion in the Red Book about the appropriateness of this measure.
The reasons for placing lily of the valley in the Red Book
The isolation of this species and the threat of extinction became the main reasons for the appearance of the lily of the valley on the pages of the publication. The Red Book protects this delicate and beautiful plant from those who simply want to pluck 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 that the Red Book of Russia represents. Plants (lilies of the valley) were considered as those that had already sufficiently restored their numbers during the time of being under protection and therefore now are not threatened with extinction. Only in some individual regions of the country are they still under state protection.
Maybe this is so. But, looking at the masses of delicate thin bouquets with such fragrant and pretty flowers that are mercilessly picked and sold in bunches in each flowering season, it is hard to believe that this is an exception to the list for a long time. Maybe it wasn’t worth it? It is difficult for people to explain what a fragile and vulnerable plant is lily of the valley. Everyone had heard the Red Book; every schoolchild knew that it was impossible to tear lilies of the valley because they were listed in it. And now? Now the freedom of access, which certainly will not lead to anything good.
Lily of the valley: morphology
What names have not been invented for these little white fragrant flowers! Among them are such as:
- lily of the valley Keiske;
- May lily of the valley;
- young;
- shirt;
- culprit;
- Voronets;
- eye grass;
- rabbit ears;
- May lily;
- washed grass;
- lumbago;
- bells of Mary and some others.
In its appearance, the flower lily of the valley resembles small bells of white color collected in an inflorescence. The plant itself has two lanceolate large leaves emerging from the underground rhizome. An arrow stretches between the leaves, on which the flowers are collected. The plant is perennial, its height reaches 30-35 cm. It blooms in the spring, so in many songs and romances, verses, lilies of the valley are associated with spring, with the revitalization of nature.
Distribution area
For the growth of lilies of the valley, the following climatic conditions are needed:
- not too sunny place (in forests where there is blackout from trees);
- moderately moist soil;
- low enough for flowering species.
The lily of the valley blooms in late April-May, when the air has not yet warmed up to average summer temperatures. Therefore, it is difficult to call a heat-loving flower. At the same time, the attitude to moisture is not too tremulous, as well as to the sun. Unpretentious and obedient perennial plant - May lily of the valley. The Red Book contains materials on the main places of its growth. They are as follows:
- Caucasus.
- North America.
- Crimea.
- European part of Russia.
- Far East of Russia.
- Eastern part of Siberia.
- Western Siberia.
- Forests and forest-steppes 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, river banks, forests and clearings, bushes, sometimes flowers are found in flood meadows.
Origin
Where did the lily of the valley come from? The Red Book on this subject says that he became known as a cultural and ornamental plant since 1525. However, legends and myths about lilies of the valley have much more ancient roots.
This flower belongs to the Liliaceae family and is represented by one genus, which includes three species (this classification was introduced in 2013, before that there were no differences in species):
- May lily of the valley;
- lily of the valley Keiske;
- mountain lily of the valley.
All morphological differences between these species are so insignificant that representatives of each of them can hardly be distinguished from each other. According to the Russian Red Book, the plants of the Keyske lily of the valley and May lily of the valley are considered the most vulnerable, therefore they are listed 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 for his death. In the place where her pearly tears dripped, lilies of the valley appeared.
German legend
Lilies of the valley are the beads that Snow White scattered. They turned into small lanterns and illuminate the path in the night to little dwarves.
Ancient Scandinavian legend
Lily of the valley is a sacred flower named after the sun goddess. He was worshiped, sacrificed to the gods, and in honor of him they arranged beautiful festivities and holidays.
Russian legend
The princess of the Volkhov, living at the bottom of the dark and cold sea, fell in love with the remote handsome Sadko, expertly playing on the harp. But love was unrequited, because Sadko loved the simple Russian girl Lyubava. And then one day the princess of the Magi went ashore and went for a walk through the forest to listen to the game on the harp of her lover, but instead she saw happy lovers: Sadko and Lyubava. The princess wept 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 of where the May lily of the valley came from. The Red Book does not mention them, referring only to historical data.
Special components of the plant
Consider the main components that the lily of the valley contains. The Red Book indicates its special composition, since the plant is considered poisonous. It is not used to feed birds, but many animals readily eat 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 essential oils. If we talk about the component composition of stems and leaves, then this is about 30 glycosides and alkaloids, the most significant of which are convallatoxin and convallatoskol. It is these ingredients that are of greatest importance for medical purposes for humans.
Plant application
There are several areas in which lily of the valley is used. The Red Book describes these areas as follows:
- Decorative area in the human economy.
- The medicine.
- Pet food.
- Perfumes and cosmetics.
The fact that the plant is used in decoration is quite justified. One has only to look at the lilies of the valley. The photo shows how beautiful, neat and cute snow-white flowers are.
The perfume industry uses the essential oils that make up the plant to produce perfumes, eau de toilette, fresheners and fragrances.
