Huang jing
Polygonatum sibiricum

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

A herb. It has rhizomes or underground stems. These are usually shortly branched. They are 1-2 cm thick. The stem is erect and can be lying over. It is 50-90 cm long. The leaves are in rings of 4-6. They do not have a leaf stalk. The leaf blade is sword shaped and 8-15 cm long by 4-16 mm wide. The tip is curved. The flowering stalk usually has 2-4 flowers. The flowers hang down. They are white or pale yellow. The fruit are black berries. They are 7-10 mm across. There are 4-7 seeds.

There are about 50 Polygonatum species. Also put in the family Convallariaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in forests and thickets on shaded slopes between 800-2800 m altitude in N China.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, India, Korea, Mongolia, Russia, Siberia

How it is used for food

The rhizome contains starch and sugars and are used for pastry. The rhizomes are repeatedly steamed and dried then have sugar or honey added and are eaten as a candy.

It is sold in local markets in China. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, root, rhizomes, sprouts, tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Polygonatum chinense Kunth.;