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Polygonatum multiflorum
  • Solomon's Seal

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

248px
Niche
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Partial sun
    Partial sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 4
    Zone 4
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Polygonatum multiflorum has 0 edible uses listed
Polygonatum multiflorum has 0 material uses listed
Polygonatum multiflorum has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Large quantities of the fruits are poisonous[1][2][3].

Edible uses

Notes

Young shoots - cooked. Boiled and used as an asparagus substitute, they make an excellent vegetable[4][5][6] and are widely used in Turkey[7]. Root - cooked[8][9]. Rich in starch[6]. The root should be macerated for some time in water in order to remove bitter substances[5]. Normally only used in times of famine, the root was powdered and then made into a bread by the North American Indians[7].

Leaves

Unknown use

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

Plants can be grown for ground cover when spaced about 30cm apart each way[10]. A distilled water made from the whole plant is used as a cosmetic to improve the complexion[7].

Unknown part

Cosmetic

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

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[11].

The root is astringent, demulcent, emetic and tonic[5][12][13][14]. An infusion is healing and restorative, it is good in the treatment of stomach inflammations, chronic dysentery etc[5]. It is used with other herbs in the treatment of pulmonary problems, including tuberculosis, and women's complaints[5][11]. The powdered roots make an excellent poultice for bruises, piles, inflammation etc[5]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[5]. The plant should not be used internally except under professional supervision[11]. A distilled water made from the whole plant has been used as a skin tonic and is an ingredient of expensive cosmetics[7].

The dried powdered roots and flowers have been used as a snuff to promote sneezing and thus clear the bronchial passages[7].

Unknown part

Astringent
Demulcent
Emetic
Poultice
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in early autumn in a shady part of a cold greenhouse[15]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible. Germination can be slow, they may not come true to type[15] 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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Polygonatum multiflorum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a fertile humus rich moisture retentive well-drained soil in cool shade or semi-shade[15]. Succeeds in dry shade if the soil is rich in humus[16]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are intolerant of heat and drought but tolerate most other conditions[15]. Another report suggests that they tolerate drought so long as the soil is rich in humus[16].

A very ornamental plant[17], growing well on the woodland edge[18]. There are some named forms[19]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[20]. The young shoots of most members of this genus are very attractive to slugs[K].

Hybridizes with other members of this genus[15].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Polygonatum multiflorum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Polygonatum multiflorum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Polygonatum multiflorum
Genus
Polygonatum
Family
Convallariaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[4][5][6][7][8][9]
Medicinal uses
[11][5][12][13][14][7]
Material uses & Functions
[10][7]
Botanic
[21][15]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
partial sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Soil surface
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
?
Herbaceous or Woody
?
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
1.2 x 0.3 meters
Fertility
self fertile
Pollinators
Bees, Self
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite

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"image:Illustration Polygonatum multiflorum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Polygonatum multiflorum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Illustration Polygonatum multiflorum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Illustration Polygonatum multiflorum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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References

  1. ? Altmann. H. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus ISBN 0-7011-2526-8 (1980-00-00)
  2. ? Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-35666-3 (1983-00-00)
  3. ? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.65.75.8 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.2 Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. ()
  7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.57.67.7 Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (1990-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre (1977-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.1 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.1 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)
  15. ? 15.015.115.215.315.415.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  16. ? 16.016.1 Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent ISBN 0460045512 (1982-00-00)
  17. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  18. ? Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden. ()
  19. ? Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
  20. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
  21. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-17

Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-187" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.

"image:Illustration Polygonatum multiflorum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Polygonatum_multiflorum&oldid=79558"
Facts about "Polygonatum multiflorum"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyConvallariaceae +
Belongs to genusPolygonatum +
Functions asGround cover +
Has binomial namePolygonatum multiflorum +
Has common nameSolomon's Seal +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has edible partLeaves + and Root +
Has edible useUnknown use +
Has environmental toleranceDrought +
Has fertility typeSelf fertile +, Bees + and Self +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone4 +
Has imageIllustration Polygonatum multiflorum0.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useCosmetic +
Has mature height1.2 +
Has mature width0.3 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAstringent +, Demulcent +, Emetic +, Poultice + and Tonic +
Has primary imageIllustration Polygonatum multiflorum0.jpg +
Has search namepolygonatum multiflorum + and solomon's seal +
Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy +, Clay + and Heavy clay +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferencePartial sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy namePolygonatum multiflorum +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Inhabits ecosystem nicheSoil surface +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Polygonatum multiflorum +, Polygonatum multiflorum +, Polygonatum multiflorum +, Polygonatum multiflorum +, Polygonatum multiflorum +, Polygonatum multiflorum +, Polygonatum multiflorum + and Polygonatum multiflorum +