Polygonatum cirrhifolium -

Family:	Convallariaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.2
Synonyms:
Range:	E. Asia - China to the Himalayas.

Polygonatum cirrhifolium () is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.2m . It has a hardness rating of 0.
Polygonatum cirrhifolium will flower in November to January. the seeds ripen from March to April
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, self

Soil Information

Polygonatum cirrhifolium 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
Polygonatum cirrhifolium prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Polygonatum cirrhifolium can grow in full or semi shaded areas.

Forests, shrubberies and open slopes, 1500 - 3700m westwards from Himachel Pradesh[51].

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

We do not have much information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of this country. It is closely related to P. verticillatum. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. 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]. 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: 1/5
Tender leaves and young shoots - cooked as a vegetable[105, 272]. They can be used as an asparagus substitute.

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The roots are cardiotonic, sialagogue, stimulant and tonic[218, 272]. The roots are used in Tibetan medicine where they are said to have a sweet taste and a neutral potency[241]. Antitussive, carminative and tonic, they promote bodily heat and dry up serous fluids[241]. They are used in the treatment of loss of vigour, pain in the kidneys and hips, swelling and fullness in the abdominal region, accumulation of fluids in bone joints, skin eruptions and coughs[241].

• Antitussive - Prevents or relieves coughing.
• Cardiotonic - A tonic for the heart.
• Carminative - Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.
• Sialagogue - Stimulates the secretion of saliva.
• Stimulant - Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well-being.
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

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

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

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flowers of the Himalayas.
Polunin. O. and Stainton. A.
Author: Polunin. O. and Stainton. A.
Rating:
Publisher : A very readable and good pocket guide (if you have a very large pocket!) to many of the wild plants in the Himalayas. Gives many examples of plant uses.
Date of Publication : 1984

Flora of China

Author:
Rating: http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher : On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.
Date of Publication : 1994

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