Polygonatum biflorum - Small Solomon's Seal

Family:	Convallariaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Synonyms:
Range:	N. America - New Brunswick to Michigan, south to Tennessee and Florida

Polygonatum biflorum (Small Solomon's Seal) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m . It has a hardness rating of 3.
Small Solomon's Seal will flower in November. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, self

Soil Information

Small Solomon's Seal will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Small Solomon's Seal prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Small Solomon's Seal can grow in full or semi shaded areas.

Dry to moist sandy, loamy or rocky deciduous woods and thickets, usually in upland areas[43].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Is suited to a deeply shaded location

Cultivation Details

Prefers a fertile humus rich moisture-retentive well-drained soil in cool shade or semi-shade[200]. Plants are intolerant of heat and drought but they tolerate most other conditions[200]. A very ornamental plant, it grows well in woodland and copses[1, 42]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233]. The young shoots are very attractive to slugs[K]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Young shoots - raw or cooked[159, 177]. An excellent vegetable when boiled and used as an asparagus substitute[183]. Root - cooked[61]. The flavour is somewhat bitter, to counteract this the root is sliced crosswise, cooked in alkaline water and the water changed during the cooking process[183]. When steamed and sun-dried nine times the root is delicious[179]. The roots are rich in starch, this can be extracted by beating or grinding the dried root, the starch can then be used to make bread or can be mixed in other foods such as soups[159, 183, 257].

• Leaves -
• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
A tea made from the roots is laxative[222]. It has been used in the treatment of indigestion, profuse menstruation, lung ailments, general debility etc[222]. It is a folk remedy for piles, rheumatism and skin irritations[222]. A poultice or a decoction of the fresh roots is applied to cuts, bruises, sores etc[222, 257].

• Laxative - Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.
• Poultice - A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
• Sedative - Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in early autumn in a shady part of a cold greenhouse[200]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible. Germination can be slow, they may not come true to type[200] 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.

Known Hazards

The fruit and seed are possibly poisonous[65].

Other Uses

The root has been burnt as an incense[257]. It is said that when the root is burnt in the bedroom just before going to sleep, the person would sleep soundly and awaken refreshed, rested and feeling young[257].

• Incense - Aromatic plants that can be burnt to impart a pleasant smell, repel insects and disinfect closed areas.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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