Polygonatum verticillatum

Polygonatum verticillatum or whorled Solomon's-seal is a plant species of the genus Polygonatum. It is widespread in Europe and also in China and the Himalayas though not reported from large sections of western and Central Asia in between those two ranges.

Description

A herb. It grows to 1 m high. It has a rhizome or underground stem. This is 0.7-1.5 cm thick. The stem is angled and grooved. The leaves do not have stalks. They occur as 3-8 in rings. The leaf blade is 6-10 cm long by 0.5-3 cm wide. They are narrow and sword shaped. There are hairs along the edge. The edges are slightly rolled in. They taper to the tip. The flowers are white. They occur as two together on stalks in the axils of leaves. The flowers hang down. The fruit are berries. They are red and 6-9 mm across. There are 6-12 seeds.

Edible Uses

Tender leaves and young shoots are cooked as a vegetable and can serve as an asparagus substitute. The root is also eaten cooked and is rich in starch.

Traditional Uses

The tender leaves and shoots are cooked as a vegetable. They are also used for soup. The ripe fruits are eaten. The rhizomes are considered strengthening food. They are eaten raw.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. In Nepal they grow between 2000-4000 m altitude.

Where It Grows

Afghanistan, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Britain, China, Europe, Greece, Himalayas, India, Italy, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Russia, Siberia, Sikkim, Slovenia, Tibet,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed or by root tubers.

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 to reach a good size. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and grow on in a shady position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, then plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Divide in March or October. Larger divisions can go directly into permanent positions, while smaller ones 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 Special Uses

Notes

There are about 50 Polygonatum species. Also put in the family Convallariaceae.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Khakan, Khinraula, Khirangalo, Khol, Khulung, Lun ye huang jing, Mahameda, Mithadudia, Ra-mnye, Rang bu jiang jiang, Ranye, Ranye goepa, Rawa nyalu, Salam misari, Schiavone, Shakakul, Sparice calice, Tse-met-che, Vretenčasti salomonov pečat

References (24)

• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 478
• Biscotti, N. et al, 2018, The traditional food use of wild vegetables in Apulia (Italy) in the light of Italian ethnobotanical literature. Italian Botanist 5:1-24
• Boesi, A., 2014, Traditional knowledge of wild food plants in a few Tibetan communities. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 10:75
• Chen, W., et al, 2021, Wild plants used by the Lhoba people in Douyu Village, characterized by high mountains and valleys, in southeastern Tibet, China. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2021) 17:46
• Chen Xinqi, Liang Songyun, Xu Jiemei, Tamura M.N., Liliaceae. Flora of China. p 161

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