The Ljubljana University Medical Centre warns that wild garlic, saffron flowers, white hellebore and lily of the valley all have similar long green leaves, which is why they are often mistaken for each other. Mistaking them can also prove deadly. "In the last decade we've treated 20 patients for poisoning from the lily of the valley. Two patients have died. The lily of the valley contains the toxic colchicine, which can be fatal in even small doses. Apart from that we've also treated 14 patients for mistaking white hellebore for wild garlic." is what the Ljubljana Medical Centre writes.

When one is poisoned with the lily of the valley he/she goes through several stages. Two to twelve hours after the poisoning the person becomes weak, vomits, has stomach pains and diarrhea with the presence of blood. After 24 to 72 hours the poison damages the person's heart, liver, kidneys, pancreas and lungs. When poisoned from the while hellebore one experiences sickness, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, poor eye vision, a prickling feeling, weakness, a slower heart beat, lower blood pressure and loses consciousness.