Stiff club moss and lily of the valley  

Slovenia is a hotspot of biodiversity

Slovenia is a hotspot of biodiversity, the absolute champion in Europe in terms of the number of species per square kilometre of territory.

Approximately 24,000 plant and animal species have been recorded here to date, with more than a quarter of them endemic species – meaning that they only appear in specific areas. Slovenia’s varied ecosystem and wealth of flora and fauna are the consequence of the country’s varied terrain, geological diversity and variety of climates.

Stiff club moss (Lycopodium annotinum)

Our ancestors were very familiar with plants and their healing properties and, with the right choice of plant, could alleviate or even cure many illnesses. But no plant had an effect like that of the stiff club moss. When boiled, the leaves of this plant produced a black liquid that, when ingested, caused dizziness and a feeling of drunkenness. Its use in the past was not as rare as one might think.

Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalia)

The delicate lily of the valley, with its tiny bell-shaped flowers, is a symbol of celebration and is therefore often found in spring posies and wedding bouquets. Despite its innocent appearance, however, all parts of the plant are highly poisonous. Consumption of it can be fatal to humans and other animals because of the concentration of cardiac glycosides, which can cause numerous adverse effects, so it is important to wash your hands thoroughly after handling it.