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Polygonatum cirrhifolium - (Wall.)Royle.

Common Name
Family Convallariaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, some members of this genus are believed to have poisonous fruits and seeds.
Habitats Forests, shrubberies and open slopes, 1500 - 3700 metres westwards from Himachel Pradesh[51].
Range E. Asia - China to the Himalayas.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade
Polygonatum cirrhifolium


Polygonatum cirrhifolium

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Polygonatum cirrhifolium is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft). It is in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from September to 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 and prefers well-drained 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 moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

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

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Tender leaves and young shoots - cooked as a vegetable[105, 272]. They can be used as an asparagus substitute.

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.
Antitussive  Cardiotonic  Carminative  Sialagogue  Stimulant  Tonic

The roots are cardiotonic, sialagogue, stimulant and tonic[218, 272]. The roots are used in Tibetan medicine where they are said to have a sweet taste and a neutral potency[241]. Antitussive, carminative and tonic, they promote bodily heat and dry up serous fluids[241]. They are used in the treatment of loss of vigour, pain in the kidneys and hips, swelling and fullness in the abdominal region, accumulation of fluids in bone joints, skin eruptions and coughs[241].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We do not have much information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of this country. It is closely related to P. verticillatum. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a fertile humus rich moisture-retentive well-drained soil in cool shade or semi-shade[200]. Plants are intolerant of heat and drought but they tolerate most other conditions[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233]. The young shoots are very attractive to slugs[K]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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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

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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 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 multiflorumSolomon's Seal, Eurasian Solomon's sealPerennial1.2 4-8  LMHFSDM233
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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Author

(Wall.)Royle.

Botanical References

51266

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Subject : Polygonatum cirrhifolium  
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