Practical
Plants

Polygonatum verticillatum

Whorled 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
0.45 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.

Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, some members of this genus have poisonous fruits and seeds.

Edible uses

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

Tender leaves and young shoots - cooked as a vegetable[6][5]. They can be used as an asparagus substitute. Root - cooked[1]. Rich in starch.

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, W. Asia, Himalayas.
Habitat
Margins of woods, clearings and shady rocky places, usually on acid soils[2].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, 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[3]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible. Germination can be slow, they may not come true to type[3] 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[3]. Plants are intolerant of heat and drought but tolerate most other conditions[3]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[4]. The young shoots are very attractive to slugs[K]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus[3].

References

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

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

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  5. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

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  6. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

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