Solomon's Seal
Polygonatum odoratum

Family: Convallariaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Mid spring. Form: Upright or erect.

Polygonatum odoratum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 0.9

Where it is found

Limestone woods and rocky places.

Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, Siberia, China, Himalayas.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Young shoots - cooked. They can be used as an asparagus substitute. Root - cooked. Rich in starch.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 3

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 antiperiodic, antitussive, cardiotonic, demulcent, diuretic, energizer, hypoglycaemic, ophthalmic, resolvent, sedative and tonic. It is used in the treatment of, dry throat, dry coughs and coronary heart disease. The plant is only used in domestic medicine. An infusion is used as a diuretic and stimulant to the metabolism, though no more than 3 cups per day should be taken and only over short periods. It can also be applied externally as a poultice to treat bruises, small wounds etc. It has also been used to remove freckles. The root is harvested in the autumn and can be dried for later use. It should not be used internally except under expert supervision.

Antiperiodic: Counteracts recurring illnesses such as malaria.

Antitussive: Prevents or relieves coughing.

Cardiotonic: A tonic for the heart.

Demulcent: Soothes, lubricates and softens irritated tissues, especially the mucous membranes.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Hypoglycaemic: Reduces the levels of sugar in the blood.

Miscellany: Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.

Ophthalmic: Treats eye complaints.

Resolvent: Breaks down tumors. This might be placed under antitumor.

Sedative: Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating:

Miscellany: A rag-bag of items that are difficult to categorise.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Container, Massing, Specimen, Woodland garden. 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. Prefers a dryish soil. Does well in woodlands and copses. Hardy to about -25°c. The rhizomes are long and creeping, the plant forming large colonies. The flowers are sweetly scented. 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. A number of named forms have been selected for their ornamental value. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Naturalizing, Suitable for cut flowers, Fragrant flowers.

Propagating it: 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 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.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

The fruits are poisonous.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

P. anceps. P. officinale. P. vulgaris.