Polygonatum multiflorum (L.) All.
Fully hardy rhizomatous perennial with arching stems bearing from each lower leaf axil up to 6 pendant, tubular green-tipped white flowers, to 1cm long. To 90cm. [RHSE, Hortus].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘Solomon’s-Seal. Polygonatum & Sigillum Solomonis. The stalks grow to two foot high, the leaves are a grass green above and a willow green underneath, and the flowers white tinctured with green. It grows wild in several woods and copses here, and flowers in May. The leaves & root are used, being esteemed vulnerary and restringent, good to stop all kinds of fluxes & haemorrhages, & consolidate wounds, fractures and ruptures, especially the root. Matthiolus commends the root, preserved in sugar, as of great service against ye Fluor albus. Some say a Cataplasm of ye root is good to take away black and blue marks arising from contusions.’ [Blackwell pl.251/1737].
History at Camden Park
Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [B.403/1850]. Macarthur’s ‘Polygonatum sp.’ is likely to be Polygonatum multiflorum as this name was hand-written in an 1850 copy of the catalogue held at the Mitchell Library, signed by William Macarthur and dated 23rd Dec. 1854. [ML635.9m].
Notes
A less likely possibility is Polygonatum x hybridum Hort., a Polygonatum multiflorum (L.) All. x Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce hybrid, the Common Solomon’s seal, a plant of garden origin.
A popular Victorian plant it is a fully hardy, rhizomatous perennial with arching, hairless stems bearing alternate, lance-shaped leaves held horizontally, and pendant, tubular, green-tipped, creamy-white flowers in spring. To 1.5m by 30cm. [RHSE].
Published Jan 09, 2010 - 05:11 PM | Last updated Jul 16, 2010 - 03:23 PM
Family | Convallariaceae |
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Category | |
Region of origin | Europe and Asia |
Synonyms |
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Common Name | Solomon’s Seal |
Name in the Camden Park Record | Polygonatum sp. |
Confidence level | medium |