Polygonatum cyrtonema

Hua

Asparagaceae Edible: Roots, Rhizome Potential hazards — see below 107 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

A perennial flowering May to June with seed maturation August to October. Hermaphroditic and self-fertile, bee-pollinated. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with good drainage. Suitable for mildly acidic to mildly alkaline pH. Flourishes in full shade or semi-shade and prefers moist soil conditions.

Description

A herb. The rhizome can develop tubers. They are 1-2 cm thick. The stem is erect and 50-100 cm tall. There are 10-15 leaves. They are alternate. The leaves are sword shaped and 10-18 cm long by 2-7 cm wide. There are 2-7 flowers in a flat topped group.

Edible Uses

No edible uses are known for this plant.

Traditional Uses

The root or rhizome is cooked as a vegetable.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The root is antiseptic, demulcent, tonic, and vasodilatory. Its use is associated with prevention of atherosclerosis and fatty infiltration of the liver. It is used in the treatment of dry coughs caused by chronic bronchitis and pulmonary tuberculosis, as well as fatigue and poor appetite.

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.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows in forests and shaded slopes between 500-2,100 m above sea level

Where It Grows

Asia, China,

Cultivation

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 could succeed outdoors in parts of this country. 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. Plants are intolerant of heat and drought but they tolerate most other conditions. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits. The young shoots are very attractive to slugs. Hybridizes with other members of this genus.

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in early autumn in a shady part of a cold greenhouse. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible. Germination can be slow, seedlings may not come true to type, and it takes several years for plants to reach a good size. When large enough to handle, prick seedlings out into individual pots and grow on in a shady position in the greenhouse for at least the first winter. Plant out into permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division can be done in March or October. Larger divisions can go directly into permanent positions, while smaller divisions are better potted up and grown on in light shade in a cold frame until well established before planting out in late spring or early summer.

Other Uses

None known.

Notes

Also put in the family Convallariaceae.

Also Known As

Huabeimaoqi

References (4)

Hui, Y. H., Handbook of Food Science, Technology, and Engineering. Volume 2. Table 98:6
Kang, Y., et al, 2012, Wild food plants and wild edible fungi in two valleys on the Qinling Mountains (Shaanxi, central China) Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine; 9:26
Wang, J., et al, 2020, An ethnobotanical survey of wild edible plants used by the Yi people of Liangshan Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 16:10 p 6
Wujisguleng, W., et al, 2012, Ethnobotanical review of food uses of Polygonatum (Convallariaceae) in China. Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae 81(4):239-244