Whorled Solomon's seal
Polygonatum verticillatum

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows to 1 m high. It has a rhizome or underground stem. This is 0.7-1.5 cm thick. The stem is angled and grooved. The leaves do not have stalks. They occur as 3-8 in rings. The leaf blade is 6-10 cm long by 0.5-3 cm wide. They are narrow and sword shaped. There are hairs along the edge. The edges are slightly rolled in. They taper to the tip. The flowers are white. They occur as two together on stalks in the axils of leaves. The flowers hang down. The fruit are berries. They are red and 6-9 mm across. There are 6-12 seeds.

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

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In Nepal they grow between 2000-4000 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Britain, China, Europe, Greece, Himalayas, India, Italy, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Russia, Siberia, Sikkim, Slovenia, Tibet

How it is used for food

The tender leaves and shoots are cooked as a vegetable. They are also used for soup. The ripe fruits are eaten. The rhizomes are considered strengthening food. They are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Leaves, root, rhizome, fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed or by root tubers.

Its other names

Local names

Khakan, Khinraula, Khirangalo, Khol, Khulung, Lun ye huang jing, Mahameda, Mithadudia, Ra-mnye, Rang bu jiang jiang, Ranye, Ranye goepa, Rawa nyalu, Salam misari, Schiavone, Shakakul, Sparice calice, Tse-met-che, Vretenčasti salomonov pečat

Synonyms

Convallaria verticillata L.; Polygonatum erythrocarpum Hua; Polygonatum kansuense Maxim. ec Batalin; Polygonatum minutiflorum H.Leveille; Convallaria leptophylla D.Don; Polygonatum leptophyllum (D.Don)Royle;