Polygonatum falcatum
A. Gray
Deer bamboo
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Summary
Perennial herb reaching 0.6 m tall and 0.5 m wide. Hardy to UK zone 6. Flowers in April with bee pollination and self-fertile capability. Thrives in light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with good drainage. Tolerates mildly acidic to basic pH. Grows in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade, adapting to both dry and moist conditions with drought tolerance.
Description
A small plant that keeps growing from year to year. The stems are 1 m long. They have a red tint. The leaves are long and narrow. The flowers are small and are carried singly.
Edible Uses
Young shoots are cooked and can be used as an asparagus substitute. The root is also cooked and is rich in starch.
Traditional Uses
The shoot and root are eaten. Root is steamed and sun-dried nine times. It must be fully grown when processed, otherwise it stings the throat.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
The plant is used as an energizer and tonic. It has also been used to remove freckles.
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 open forest.
Where It Grows
Asia, Australia, China, Japan*, Korea*, Tasmania,
Cultivation
Prefers a fertile humus rich moisture retentive well-drained soil in cool shade or semi-shade. Plants are intolerant of heat and drought but tolerate most other conditions. Thrives in dry shade as long as the soil is rich in humus, the plant is also fairly drought tolerant. Requires a mulch protection for the roots in areas where winter temperatures go below -10°c. The rhizomes are shortly-creeping, the plant forming clumps. This species is often grown mistakenly as P. pumilum. P. humile is often mistakenly grown as this species. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits. 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
Miscellaneous uses are noted but not specified.
Notes
There are about 50 Polygonatum species. Also put in the family Convallariaceae.
Also Known As
Naruko-yuri
References (8)
- Chen, B. & Qiu, Z., Consumer's Attitudes towards Edible Wild Plants, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. p 24 www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/aip/872413.pdf
- Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 238
- Hwang, H., et al, 2013, A Study on the Flora of 15 Islands in the Western Sea of Jeollanamdo Province, Korea. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Vol. 6, No. 2 281-310
- Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 66
- Mem. Amer. Acad. Arts new ser., 6:414. 1859
Show all 8 references Hide references
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- READ,
- Ryan, S., 2008, Dicksonia. Rare Plants Manual. Hyland House. p 109
