Practical
Plants

Polygonatum biflorum

Small Solomon's Seal

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Self

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

The fruit and seed are possibly poisonous[13].

Edible uses

Young shoots - raw or cooked[2][3]. An excellent vegetable when boiled and used as an asparagus substitute[5]. Root - cooked[12]. The flavour is somewhat bitter, to counteract this the root is sliced crosswise, cooked in alkaline water and the water changed during the cooking process[5]. When steamed and sun-dried nine times the root is delicious[4]. The roots are rich in starch, this can be extracted by beating or grinding the dried root, the starch can then be used to make bread or can be mixed in other foods such as soups[2][5][9].

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

A tea made from the roots is laxative[7]. It has been used in the treatment of indigestion, profuse menstruation, lung ailments, general debility etc[7]. It is a folk remedy for piles, rheumatism and skin irritations[7]. A poultice or a decoction of the fresh roots is applied to cuts, bruises, sores etc[7][9].

Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Sedative

Material uses

The root has been burnt as an incense[9]. It is said that when the root is burnt in the bedroom just before going to sleep, the person would sleep soundly and awaken refreshed, rested and feeling young[9].

Product or use
Incense

Environment

Range
N. America - New Brunswick to Michigan, south to Tennessee and Florida
Habitat
Dry to moist sandy, loamy or rocky deciduous woods and thickets, usually in upland areas[11].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in early autumn in a shady part of a cold greenhouse[6]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible. Germination can be slow, they may not come true to type[6] 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.

Cultivation

Prefers a fertile humus rich moisture-retentive well-drained soil in cool shade or semi-shade[6]. Plants are intolerant of heat and drought but they tolerate most other conditions[6]. A very ornamental plant, it grows well in woodland and copses[1][10]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[8]. The young shoots are very attractive to slugs[K]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. McPherson. A. and S. Wild Food Plants of Indiana. Indiana University Press 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-253-28925-4

    ↩1↩2

  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  4. Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00

    ↩

  5. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  7. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  9. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate. 1938-00-00

    ↩

  11. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

  12. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  13. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

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