Polygonatum multiflorum

Polygonatum multiflorum
Polygonatum multiflorum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Asparagaceae
Subfamily:	Nolinoideae
Genus:	Polygonatum
Species:	P. multiflorum
Binomial name
Polygonatum multiflorum (L.) All.

Polygonatum multiflorum, the Solomon's seal, David's harp, ladder-to-heaven or Eurasian Solomon's seal, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to Europe and temperate Asia. In Britain it is one of three native species of the genus, the others being P. odoratum and P. verticillatum .

Name

The specific epithet multiflorum means "many-flowered". ^[1]

Description

It is a rhizomatous perennial growing to 90 cm (35 in) tall by 25 cm (10 in) broad, with arching stems of alternate leaves, and slightly necked, pendent tubular white flowers with green tips, hanging from the undersides of the stems. It is valued in cultivation for its ability to colonise shady areas, and is suitable for a woodland style planting. ^{[2] [3]}

Its fruit persists for an average of 17.5 days, and bears an average of 2.6 seeds per fruit. Fruits average 83.5% water, and their dry weight includes 43.6% carbohydrates and 1.2% lipids. ^[4]

Cultivation

The shoots of Polygonatum multiflorum look very attractive, so they are suitable for use in floral arrangements. The longevity of cut shoots of Polygonatum multiflorum ‘Variegatum’ harvested from the field ranges from 15 to 22 days. To extend the life of cut shoots, gibberellic acid, benzyladenine (BA) and hydroxyquinoline sulphate are used. They prolong postharvest longevity mainly by delaying leaf yellowing. ^[5]

The hybrid Polygonatum × hybridum (P. multiflorum × P. odoratum) has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. ^[6]

References

1. Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN   9781845337315.
2. "Polygonatum multiflorum Solomon's Seal, Eurasian Solomon's seal PFAF Plant Database".
3. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN   978-1405332965.
4. Ehrlén & Eriksson 1991.
5. Krzymińska-Bródka A, Ulczycka-Walorska M, Łysiak GP, Czuchaj P (December 2023). "The longevity of cut Polygonatum multiflorum (L.) All. shoots depending on postharvest handling". Acta Agrobotanica. 76. Polish Botanical Society: 1–11. doi: 10.5586/aa/176280 .
6. "RHS Plant Selector - Polygonatum multiflorum". Archived from the original on December 24, 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2013.

Bibliography

• Matthew Wood. The Book of Herbal Wisdom. Random House, 1997. ISBN   978-1-55643-232-3; pp. 397–408
• Ehrlén, Johan; Eriksson, Ove (1991). "Phenological variation in fruit characteristics in vertebrate-dispersed plants". Oecologia. 86 (4): 463–470. doi:10.1007/BF00318311. ISSN   0029-8549.

External links

Media related to Polygonatum multiflorum at Wikimedia Commons

Data related to Polygonatum multiflorum at Wikispecies