Practical
Plants

Polygonatum multiflorum

Solomon's Seal

a perennial member of the Polygonatum genus in the family Convallariaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.2 m
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Self
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.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Large quantities of the fruits are poisonous[2][8][21].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young shoots - cooked. Boiled and used as an asparagus substitute, they make an excellent vegetable[10][19][3] and are widely used in Turkey[17]. Root - cooked[4][5]. Rich in starch[3]. The root should be macerated for some time in water in order to remove bitter substances[19]. Normally only used in times of famine, the root was powdered and then made into a bread by the North American Indians[17].

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.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[18]. The root is astringent, demulcent, emetic and tonic[19][13][20][16]. An infusion is healing and restorative, it is good in the treatment of stomach inflammations, chronic dysentery etc[19]. It is used with other herbs in the treatment of pulmonary problems, including tuberculosis, and women's complaints[19][18]. The powdered roots make an excellent poultice for bruises, piles, inflammation etc[19]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[19]. The plant should not be used internally except under professional supervision[18]. A distilled water made from the whole plant has been used as a skin tonic and is an ingredient of expensive cosmetics[17]. The dried powdered roots and flowers have been used as a snuff to promote sneezing and thus clear the bronchial passages[17].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Demulcent
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants can be grown for ground cover when spaced about 30cm apart each way[12]. A distilled water made from the whole plant is used as a cosmetic to improve the complexion[17].

Product or use
Cosmetic

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, and temperate Asia to Japan.
Habitat
Woodland, usually on limestone[6].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in early autumn in a shady part of a cold greenhouse[11]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible. Germination can be slow, they may not come true to type[11] 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

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a fertile humus rich moisture retentive well-drained soil in cool shade or semi-shade[11]. Succeeds in dry shade if the soil is rich in humus[9]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are intolerant of heat and drought but tolerate most other conditions[11]. Another report suggests that they tolerate drought so long as the soil is rich in humus[9]. A very ornamental plant[1], growing well on the woodland edge[15]. There are some named forms[7]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[14]. The young shoots of most members of this genus are very attractive to slugs[K]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus[11].

References

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

    ↩

  2. Altmann. H. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-7011-2526-8

    ↩

  3. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

  6. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

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  7. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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  8. Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3

    ↩

  9. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

    ↩1↩2

  10. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  12. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩

  13. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

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

    ↩

  15. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

    ↩

  16. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩

  17. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  18. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3

  19. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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