Common Name:

General Information

Polygonatum cirrhifolium is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a rhizomatous rootstock. It produces a cluster of unbranched, erect, sometimes climbing, leafy stems around 30 - 90cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine

Known Hazards

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

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, northern Myanmar, central and southern China

Habitat

Forests, shrubberies and open grassy slopes; at elevations from 1,500 - 4,000 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.65 m
Pollinators	Bees, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a fertile humus rich moisture-retentive well-drained soil in cool shade or semi-shade[]. Plants are intolerant of heat and drought but they tolerate most other conditions[].
Especially in areas where winters are cold, the shallow rhizomes of this species will benefit from the protection given by a deep mulch of leafmould[].
This species is closely related to Polygonatum verticillatum.
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[].
The young shoots are very attractive to slugs[].
Hybridizes with other members of this genus[].

Edible Uses

Tender leaves and young shoots - cooked as a vegetable[, ]. They can be used as an asparagus substitute.

Medicinal

Polygonatum cirrhifolium is one of a group of eight plants, known collectively as 'Astavarga' in India, whose underground parts are seen in Ayurveda as general tonics that can strengthen the vital force in the body, improve cell regeneration capacity and boost the immune system. They can each be used on their own, and they are also used in the preparation of different types of rejuvenating tonics in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. One of the most important of these is 'Chyavanprash', a polyherbal formulation comprising more than 50 different plant ingredients, which is widely used in India as a general tonic, energy booster, immune system strengthener and aphrodisiac[, ].

The roots are cardiotonic, sialagogue, stimulant and tonic[, ].
The roots are used in Tibetan medicine where they are said to have a sweet taste and a neutral potency[]. Antitussive, carminative and tonic, they promote bodily heat and dry up serous fluids[]. They are used in the treatment of loss of vigour, pain in the kidneys and hips, swelling and fullness in the abdominal region, accumulation of fluids in bone joints, skin eruptions and coughs[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

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