Polygonatum multiflorum - Solomon's Seal

Family:	Convallariaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.2
Width:	0.3
Synonyms:
Range:	Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, and temperate Asia to Japan.

Polygonatum multiflorum (Solomon's Seal) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.2m and a width of 0.3m . It has a hardness rating of 4.
Solomon's Seal will flower in December. the seeds ripen from April
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, self

Soil Information

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
Solomon's Seal prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

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

Woodland, usually on limestone[187].

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
• Can spread to cover ground and will out compete weeds

Cultivation Details

Prefers a fertile humus rich moisture retentive well-drained soil in cool shade or semi-shade[200]. Succeeds in dry shade if the soil is rich in humus[190]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are intolerant of heat and drought but tolerate most other conditions[200]. Another report suggests that they tolerate drought so long as the soil is rich in humus[190]. A very ornamental plant[1], growing well on the woodland edge[24]. There are some named forms[188]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233]. The young shoots of most members of this genus are very attractive to slugs[K]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Young shoots - cooked. Boiled and used as an asparagus substitute, they make an excellent vegetable[2, 4, 115] and are widely used in Turkey[244]. Root - cooked[177, 179]. Rich in starch[115]. The root should be macerated for some time in water in order to remove bitter substances[4]. Normally only used in times of famine, the root was powdered and then made into a bread by the North American Indians[244].

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

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 3/5
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[254]. The root is astringent, demulcent, emetic and tonic[4, 21, 61, 240]. An infusion is healing and restorative, it is good in the treatment of stomach inflammations, chronic dysentery etc[4]. It is used with other herbs in the treatment of pulmonary problems, including tuberculosis, and women's complaints[4, 254]. The powdered roots make an excellent poultice for bruises, piles, inflammation etc[4]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[4]. The plant should not be used internally except under professional supervision[254]. A distilled water made from the whole plant has been used as a skin tonic and is an ingredient of expensive cosmetics[244]. The dried powdered roots and flowers have been used as a snuff to promote sneezing and thus clear the bronchial passages[244].

• Astringent - Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• Demulcent - Soothes, lubricates and softens irritated tissues, especially the mucous membranes.
• Emetic - Induces vomiting.
• Poultice - A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
• 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

Large quantities of the fruits are poisonous[10, 19, 65].

Other Uses

Plants can be grown for ground cover when spaced about 30cm apart each way[208]. A distilled water made from the whole plant is used as a cosmetic to improve the complexion[244].

• Cosmetic - Used to improve the physicalappearence of a person.
• Ground cover - Usually low growing plants that can be grown with other plants, especially shrubs and trees, to prevent the growth of weeds.

Cultivars

'' - There are some named forms for this species, but these have been developed for their ornamental value and not for their other uses. Unless you particularly require the special characteristics of any of these cultivars, we would generally recommend that you grow the natural species for its useful properties. We have, therefore, not listed the cultivars in this database[K].

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

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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