Chelsea Archer

Scientific name : Polygonatum commutatum

Common name: Solomon's Seal

Discription:

This native perennial plant is about 2-3' tall and unbranched. The central stem is glabrous, glaucous, and
round in circumference; it leans over to one side. The alternate leaves are up to 6" long and 4" across;
they are spaced fairly close together along the stem. These leaves are ovate and glabrous; they have
parallel veins and clasp the stem. The flowers are in little drooping clusters of from two to seven,
springing from the axils of the leaves, but hanging in an opposite direction to the foliage. They are
tubular in shape, of a creamy or waxy white, topped with a yellowish-green, and sweet-scented, and are
succeeded by small berries about the size of a pea, of a blackish-blue color, varying to purple and red,
and containing about three or four seeds. A Needs light shade or it will not survive. Bloom time in mid
spring or late spring/early summer. The generic name Polygonatum signifies many-angled, and is
supposed to be derived either from the numerous knots or swellings of the root or from the numerous
nodes or joints of the stem, but the characteristics are not very marked ones. The specific name,
multiflorum, serves to distinguish this many flowered species from another in which the blossoms are
solitary, or only in pairs from each axil. Solomon's Seal is given in pulmonary consumption and bleeding
of the lungs for medicinal uses. It is useful also in female complaints. The infusion of 1 OZ. to a pint of
boiling water is taken in wineglassful doses and is also used as an injection. It is a mucilaginous tonic,
very healing and restorative, and is good in inflammations of the stomach and bowels, piles, and chronic
dysentery. Solomon’s Seal is commonly found in dry to moist wooded areas where the soil is rich. It is
widespread in eastern North America and found throughout most of North Carolina.

Classification:

Kingdom- Plantae – Plants

Subkingdom -Tracheobionta – Vascular plants

Superdivision -Spermatophyta – Seed plants

Division -Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants

Class- Liliopsida – Monocotyledons Subclass Liliidae

Order- Liliales

Family- Liliaceae – Lily

Genus -Polygonatum Mill. – Solomon's seal

pSecies -Polygonatum biflorum (Walter) Elliot – smooth Solomon's seal

Definitions:

Perennial- plant that lives longer than two years.

Glabrous-no hairs, projections, or pubescence; smooth

Foliage- mass of leaves; leafage; a decoration consisting of a representation of leaves, branches, flowers,
etc.