Common Name:

General Information

Polygonatum falcatum is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a rhizomatous rootstock. It produces a cluster of erect, unbranched stems around 50 - 80cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine, It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it can be used to form a ground cover.

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 - central and southern Japan, southern Korea

Habitat

Woods in hills and low mountains[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Bees, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Polygonatum falcatum is a moderately cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate temperatures down to around -20°c when fully dormant[].
Prefers a fertile humus rich moisture retentive well-drained soil in cool shade or semi-shade[]. Plants are intolerant of heat and drought but tolerate most other conditions[]. Thrives in dry shade as long as the soil is rich in humus, the plant is also fairly drought tolerant[].
Requires a mulch protection for the roots in areas where winter temperatures go below -10°c[]. The rhizomes are shortly-creeping, the plant forming clumps[].
This species is often grown mistakenly as Polygonatum pumilum[]. Polygonatum humile is often mistakenly grown as this species[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[].
Young shoots are very attractive to slugs[].
Hybridizes with other members of this genus[].

Edible Uses

Young shoots - cooked[]. They can be used as an asparagus substitute.

Root - cooked[]. Rich in starch.

Medicinal

The rhizome is energizer and tonic. Used to remove freckles[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be grown as a ground cover when spaced about 25cm apart each way[].

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.