Common Name: Huang Jing

General Information

Polygonatum sibiricum is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a rhizomatous rootstock. It produces a cluster of unbranched, erect stems usually around 50 - 90cm tall, sometimes adopting a semi-climing habit and reaching up to 140cm[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

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

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - Mongolia, Siberia, China, Korea

Habitat

Woods and sandy places near the sea[]. Forests, thickets and shaded slopes; at elevations from 800 - 2,800 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Polygonatum sibiricum 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[]. Plants are intolerant of heat and drought but 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 of most members of this genus are very attractive to slugs[].
Plants adopt a semi-climbing habit, scrambling through small shrubs[].
Hybridizes with other species in this genus.

Edible Uses

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

Rhizome - cooked[, ]. The rhizome can be 10 - 20mm thick[]. Rich in starch.

Medicinal

The root is antibacterial, antifungal, antirheumatic, antiseptic, demulcent, lenitive, tonic and vasodilator[, ]. Its use lowers the blood pressure and prevents atherosclerosis and fatty infiltration in the liver[]. It is used in the treatment of dry coughs due to chronic bronchitis and pulmonary tuberculosis, fatigue and poor appetite[].

Other Uses

The plant has insecticidal properties[].

An extract of the whole plant is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].
An extract of the rhizomes, and also the dried and powdered rhizomes, are used as ingredients in commercial cosmetic preparations as skin conditioners[]

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.