Polygonatum odoratum - Solomon's Seal

Family:	Convallariaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.85
Width:	0.3
Synonyms:	P. anceps. P. officinale. P. vulgaris.
Range:	Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, Siberia, China, Himalayas.

Polygonatum odoratum (Solomon's Seal) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.85m and a width of 0.3m . It has a hardness rating of 4.
Solomon's Seal will flower in November to January. 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.

Limestone woods and rocky places[17, 100].

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 tolerate most other conditions[200]. Prefers a dryish soil[10, 19]. Does well in woodlands and copses[1, 19]. Hardy to about -25°c[187]. The rhizomes are long and creeping, the plant forming large colonies[187]. The flowers are sweetly scented[245]. 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]. A number of named forms have been selected for their ornamental value[187].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Young shoots - cooked. They can be used as an asparagus substitute[46, 55, 61]. Root - cooked[2, 55, 105, 179]. Rich in starch.

• 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 antiperiodic, antitussive, cardiotonic, demulcent, diuretic, energizer, hypoglycaemic, ophthalmic, resolvent, sedative and tonic[7, 9, 21, 147, 174, 176, 178, 218]. It is used in the treatment of, dry throat, dry coughs and coronary heart disease[176]. The plant is only used in domestic medicine[9]. An infusion is used as a diuretic and stimulant to the metabolism, though no more than 3 cups per day should be taken and only over short periods[9]. It can also be applied externally as a poultice to treat bruises, small wounds etc[7, 9]. It has also been used to remove freckles[9, 21, 174, 176, 178]. The root is harvested in the autumn and can be dried for later use[9]. It should not be used internally except under expert supervision[254].

• Antiperiodic - Counteracts recurring illnesses such as malaria.
• Antitussive - Prevents or relieves coughing.
• Cardiotonic - A tonic for the heart.
• Demulcent - Soothes, lubricates and softens irritated tissues, especially the mucous membranes.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Hypoglycaemic - Reduces the levels of sugar in the blood.
• Miscellany - Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.
• Ophthalmic - Treats eye complaints.
• Resolvent - Breaks down tumors. This might be placed under antitumor.
• Sedative - Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.
• 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.

Scented parts of the plants

Flowers : Fresh

Known Hazards

The fruits are poisonous[9, 10, 19, 65].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

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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