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Polygonatum multiflorum - (L.)All.

Common Name Solomon's Seal, Eurasian Solomon's seal
Family Convallariaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards Large quantities of the fruits are poisonous[10, 19, 65]. It has laxative properties and can increase the laxative effects of aloe, rhamnus, senna & yellow dock. May lead to gastrointestinal irritation with prolonged use. Overdose leads to nausea, diarrhoea, gastric complaints [301].
Habitats Woodland, usually on limestone[187].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, and temperate Asia to Japan.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade
Polygonatum multiflorum Solomon


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Polygonatum_multiflorum_Sturm42.jpg
Polygonatum multiflorum Solomon
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Polygonatum multiflorum is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower in June, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Convallaria ambigua. Convallaria bracteata. Convallaria broteroi. Polygonatum salamonis.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Young shoots - cooked. Boiled and used as an asparagus substitute, they make an excellent vegetable[2, 4, 115] and are widely used in Turkey[244]. Root - cooked[177, 179]. Rich in starch[115]. The root should be macerated for some time in water in order to remove bitter substances[4]. Normally only used in times of famine, the root was powdered and then made into a bread by the North American Indians[244].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent  Demulcent  Dysentery  Emetic  Poultice  Tonic

Solomon's seal has been used for thousands of years in herbal medicine. It is used mainly in the form of a poultice and is believed to prevent excessive bruising and to stimulate tissue repair[254]. The root is astringent, demulcent, emetic and tonic[4, 21, 61, 240]. An infusion is healing and restorative, it is good in the treatment of stomach inflammations, chronic dysentery etc[4]. It is used with other herbs in the treatment of pulmonary problems, including tuberculosis, and women's complaints[4, 254]. The powdered roots make an excellent poultice for bruises, piles, inflammation etc[4]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[4]. The plant should not be used internally except under professional supervision[254]. A distilled water made from the whole plant has been used as a skin tonic and is an ingredient of expensive cosmetics[244]. The dried powdered roots and flowers have been used as a snuff to promote sneezing and thus clear the bronchial passages[244].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Cosmetic

Plants can be grown for ground cover when spaced about 30cm apart each way[208]. A distilled water made from the whole plant is used as a cosmetic to improve the complexion[244].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a fertile humus rich moisture retentive well-drained soil in cool shade or semi-shade[200]. Succeeds in dry shade if the soil is rich in humus[190]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are intolerant of heat and drought but tolerate most other conditions[200]. Another report suggests that they tolerate drought so long as the soil is rich in humus[190]. A very ornamental plant[1], growing well on the woodland edge[24]. There are some named forms[188]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233]. The young shoots of most members of this genus are very attractive to slugs[K]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in early autumn in a shady part of a cold greenhouse[200]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible. Germination can be slow, they may not come true to type[200] and it takes a few years for them to reach a good size. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a shady position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in March or October. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Polygonatum biflorumSmall Solomon's SealPerennial1.0 3-7  LMHFSM212
Polygonatum cirrhifolium Perennial1.2 -  LMHFSM22 
Polygonatum commutatumKing Solomon's Seal, Smooth Solomon's sealPerennial2.0 4-8  LMHFSM211
Polygonatum cyrtonema Perennial0.0 -  LMHFSM02 
Polygonatum falcatum Perennial0.6 4-8  LMHFSDM210
Polygonatum humile Perennial0.3 4-8  LMHFSM21 
Polygonatum inflatum Perennial0.6 -  LMHFSM21 
Polygonatum involucratum Perennial0.3 -  LMHFSM20 
Polygonatum kingianum Perennial2.0 -  LMHFSM02 
Polygonatum lasianthum Perennial0.6 -  LMHFSM20 
Polygonatum macropodum Perennial1.0 -  LMHFSM21 
Polygonatum maximowiczii Perennial1.0 -  LMHFSM20 
Polygonatum odoratumSolomon's SealPerennial0.9 4-8 MLMHFSDM23 
Polygonatum odoratum thunbergii Perennial0.5 4-8  LMHFSM20 
Polygonatum pubescensHairy Solomon's SealPerennial1.0 3-7  LMHFSM21 
Polygonatum sibiricumHuang JingPerennial1.0 3-7  LMHFSM221
Polygonatum stenanthum Perennial1.2 6-9  LMHFSM20 
Polygonatum verticillatumWhorled Solomon's SealPerennial1.2 4-8  LMHFSM20 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(L.)All.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

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