Common Name: Solomon's Seal

General Information

Polygonatum multiflorum is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a rhizomatous rootstock. It produces a cluster of unbranched, erect, arching leafy stems up to 90cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is often grown as an ornamental, where it can be used to form a grouund cover, and is also sometimes cultivated to provide flowering stems for indoor ornament.

Known Hazards

Large quantities of the fruits are poisonous[, , ].

Botanical References

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Range

Most of Europe, excluding Portugal, Ireland and northern Russia, east to Turkey and the Caucasus

Habitat

Woodland, usually on limestone[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.75 m
Pollinators	Bees, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Polygonatum multiflorum is a very cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate temperatures down to around -30°c when fully dormant[].
Prefers a fertile humus rich moisture retentive well-drained soil in cool shade or semi-shade[]. Succeeds in dry shade if the soil is rich in humus[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are intolerant of heat and drought but tolerate most other conditions[]. Another report suggests that they tolerate drought so long as the soil is rich in humus[].
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[].
A very ornamental plant[], growing well on the woodland edge[]. There are some named forms[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[].
The young shoots of most members of this genus are very attractive to slugs[].
Hybridizes with other members of this genus[].

Edible Uses

Young shoots - cooked. Boiled and used as an asparagus substitute, they make an excellent vegetable[, , ] and are widely used in Turkey[].

Rhizome - cooked[, ]. Rich in starch[]. The rhizome should be macerated for some time in water in order to remove bitter substances[]. Normally only used in times of famine, the rhizome was powdered and then made into a bread by the native North Americans[].

Medicinal

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

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be grown for ground cover when spaced about 30cm apart each way[].

Other Uses

A distilled water made from the whole plant is used as a cosmetic to improve the complexion[].
An extract of the rhizome is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[]

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.