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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Polygonatum biflorum is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower in May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Root Shoots
Edible Uses:

Young shoots - raw or cooked[159, 177]. An excellent vegetable when boiled and used as an asparagus substitute[183]. Root - cooked[61]. The flavour is somewhat bitter, to counteract this the root is sliced crosswise, cooked in alkaline water and the water changed during the cooking process[183]. When steamed and sun-dried nine times the root is delicious[179]. The roots are rich in starch, this can be extracted by beating or grinding the dried root, the starch can then be used to make bread or can be mixed in other foods such as soups[159, 183, 257].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Laxative Poultice Sedative

A tea made from the roots is laxative[222]. It has been used in the treatment of indigestion, profuse menstruation, lung ailments, general debility etc[222]. It is a folk remedy for piles, rheumatism and skin irritations[222]. A poultice or a decoction of the fresh roots is applied to cuts, bruises, sores etc[222, 257].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Incense

The root has been burnt as an incense[257]. It is said that when the root is burnt in the bedroom just before going to sleep, the person would sleep soundly and awaken refreshed, rested and feeling young[257].

Special Uses

Food Forest

References More on Other Uses

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 they tolerate most other conditions[200]. A very ornamental plant, it grows well in woodland and copses[1, 42]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233]. The young shoots are very attractive to slugs[K]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus[200]. Polygonatum biflorum var. commutatum (Schult. & Schult.f.) Morong is a synonym of Polygonatum biflorum (Walter) Elliott The plant is heat tolerant in zones 9 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a runner spreading indefinitely by rhizomes or stolons [1-2]. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length [1-2].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada, Québec (southwest), Ontario (south), Saskatchewan (southeast), Manitoba (south), United States, Connecticut, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Polygonatum cirrhifolium		Perennial	1.2	-		LMH	FS	M	2	2
Polygonatum commutatum	King Solomon's Seal, Smooth Solomon's seal	Perennial	2.0	4-8		LMH	FS	M	2	1	1
Polygonatum cyrtonema		Perennial	0.0	-		LMH	FS	M	0	2
Polygonatum falcatum		Perennial	0.6	4-8		LMH	FS	DM	2	1	0
Polygonatum humile		Perennial	0.3	4-8		LMH	FS	M	2	1
Polygonatum inflatum		Perennial	0.6	-		LMH	FS	M	2	1
Polygonatum involucratum		Perennial	0.3	-		LMH	FS	M	2	0
Polygonatum kingianum		Perennial	2.0	-		LMH	FS	M	0	2
Polygonatum lasianthum		Perennial	0.6	-		LMH	FS	M	2	0
Polygonatum macropodum		Perennial	1.0	-		LMH	FS	M	2	1
Polygonatum maximowiczii		Perennial	1.0	-		LMH	FS	M	2	0
Polygonatum multiflorum	Solomon's Seal, Eurasian Solomon's seal	Perennial	1.2	4-8		LMH	FS	DM	2	3	3
Polygonatum odoratum	Solomon's Seal	Perennial	0.9	4-8	M	LMH	FS	DM	2	3
Polygonatum odoratum thunbergii		Perennial	0.5	4-8		LMH	FS	M	2	0
Polygonatum pubescens	Hairy Solomon's Seal	Perennial	1.0	3-7		LMH	FS	M	2	1
Polygonatum sibiricum	Huang Jing	Perennial	1.0	3-7		LMH	FS	M	2	2	1
Polygonatum stenanthum		Perennial	1.2	6-9		LMH	FS	M	2	0
Polygonatum verticillatum	Whorled Solomon's Seal	Perennial	1.2	4-8		LMH	FS	M	2	0

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Polygonatum biflorum - (Walter.)Elliott.