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Polygonatum commutatum - (Schultz.)Dietr.

Common Name King Solomon's Seal, Smooth Solomon's seal
Family Convallariaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards The fruit and seed are thought to be poisonous[65].
Habitats Moist woodland and copses, often by streams[43, 235]. Plants are rarely found in dry soils[235].
Range Eastern N. America - Rhode Island to Ontario and Manitoba, south to Georgia, New Mexico and Arizona.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade
Polygonatum commutatum King Solomon


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Polygonatum commutatum King Solomon
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Polygonatum commutatum is a PERENNIAL growing to 2 m (6ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in May. 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

P. canaliculatum. P. giganteum.

Habitats

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

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Young shoots - cooked. They can be used as an asparagus substitute. Root - cooked[22, 161]. A parsnip-like flavour[212]. Rich in starch, it can be dried and ground into a powder then used as a thickener in soups etc or can be added to flour when making cakes, bread or whatever[46, 61]. The root should be boiled and sun-dried nine times, it is then delicious[179] (if there is anything left![K])

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.
Analgesic

A decoction of the root has been used as a herbal steam inhalant as a treatment for headaches[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Incense

The root has been burnt in the house for its pleasant fragrance[257].

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

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 tolerate most other conditions[200]. Grows well in woodlands and copses[1, 42]. 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]. According to one report this species is no more than a synonym for P. biflorum[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 cirrhifolium Perennial1.2 -  LMHFSM22 
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

(Schultz.)Dietr.

Botanical References

43200

Links / References

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Subject : Polygonatum commutatum  
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