Practical
Plants

Polygonatum odoratum

Solomon's Seal

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.85 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.

The fruits are poisonous[25][2][12][23].

Edible uses

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

Young shoots - cooked. They can be used as an asparagus substitute[20][21][22]. Root - cooked[13][21][4][10]. Rich in starch.

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[19]. The root is antiperiodic, antitussive, cardiotonic, demulcent, diuretic, energizer, hypoglycaemic, ophthalmic, resolvent, sedative and tonic[24][25][15][5][7][8][9][16]. It is used in the treatment of, dry throat, dry coughs and coronary heart disease[8]. The plant is only used in domestic medicine[25]. An infusion is used as a diuretic and stimulant to the metabolism, though no more than 3 cups per day should be taken and only over short periods[25]. It can also be applied externally as a poultice to treat bruises, small wounds etc[24][25]. It has also been used to remove freckles[25][15][7][8][9]. The root is harvested in the autumn and can be dried for later use[25]. It should not be used internally except under expert supervision[19].

Product or use
Antiperiodic
Product or use
Antitussive
Product or use
Cardiotonic
Product or use
Demulcent
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Hypoglycaemic
Product or use
Miscellany
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Resolvent
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Tonic

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, Siberia, China, Himalayas.
Habitat
Limestone woods and rocky places[6][3].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

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[14]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible. Germination can be slow, they may not come true to type[14] 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[14]. Plants are intolerant of heat and drought but tolerate most other conditions[14]. Prefers a dryish soil[2][12]. Does well in woodlands and copses[1][12]. Hardy to about -25°c[11]. The rhizomes are long and creeping, the plant forming large colonies[11]. The flowers are sweetly scented[18]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[17]. The young shoots of most members of this genus are very attractive to slugs[K]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus[14]. A number of named forms have been selected for their ornamental value[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

    ↩1↩2

  3. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

    ↩

  4. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  5. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩

  6. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  7. Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.

    ↩1↩2

  8. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩1↩2

  16. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩

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

    ↩

  18. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  20. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  21. Harris. B. C. Eat the Weeds. Pivot Health 1973-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

  24. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2

  25. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

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