Solomon's Seal

Polygonatum odoratum

Physical Characteristics

Polygonatum odoratum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from May to July. 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 dry or moist soil.

Distribution

Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, Siberia, China, Himalayas.

Habitats

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

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Root Shoots Edible Uses: Young shoots - cooked. They can be used as an asparagus substitute[46, 55, 61]. Root - cooked[2, 55, 105, 179]. Rich in starch.

Medicinal Uses

Antiperiodic Antitussive Cardiotonic Demulcent Diuretic Hypoglycaemic Miscellany Ophthalmic Resolvent Sedative Tonic Solomon's seal has been used for thousands of years in herbal medicine. It is used mainly in the form of a poultice and is believed to prevent excessive bruising and to stimulate tissue repair[254]. The root is antiperiodic, antitussive, cardiotonic, demulcent, diuretic, energizer, hypoglycaemic, ophthalmic, resolvent, sedative and tonic[7, 9, 21, 147, 174, 176, 178, 218]. It is used in the treatment of, dry throat, dry coughs and coronary heart disease[176]. The plant is only used in domestic medicine[9]. An infusion is used as a diuretic and stimulant to the metabolism, though no more than 3 cups per day should be taken and only over short periods[9]. It can also be applied externally as a poultice to treat bruises, small wounds etc[7, 9]. It has also been used to remove freckles[9, 21, 174, 176, 178]. The root is harvested in the autumn and can be dried for later use[9]. It should not be used internally except under expert supervision[254].

Known Hazards

The fruits are poisonous[9, 10, 19, 65].