North Carolina Botanical Garden

Plant Index

Scientific Name:
Common Name:
Genus:
Family:

Polygonatum biflorum

Polygonatum biflorum (Walter) Elliott

solomons-seal, smooth solomon seal

Image ID: 20390
Image by: Peterson, Jennifer
Image Collection: NCBG Digital Library

PLANT INDEX

ID_PLANT: POBI2
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Polygonatum biflorum
Include in WOTAS: 1
Publish to Web: 1
Last Modified: 2019-03-15

GENUS INDEX

GENUS CODE: POLYG2
GENUS SCIENTIFIC: Polygonatum
GENUS AUTHORITY: Mill.
GENUS COMMON: Solomon's seal
GENUS SUMMARY: A genus of about 57 species, of temperate Eurasia and North America (most diverse in e. Asia). The P. biflorum complex is in need of further study.
GENUS IDENTIFICATION:
GENUS REFERENCES: Ownbey (1944)=Z; Judd (2003)=Y; Utech in FNA (2002a); Eigsti (1942); Therman (1950, 1953); Kawano & Iltis (1963); Conran & Tamura in Kubitzki (1998a).

FAMILY INDEX

FAMILY CODE: RUSCAC
FAMILY SCIENTIFIC: Ruscaceae
FAMILY AUTHORITY: M. Roemer 1840
FAMILY COMMON: Ruscus Family
FAMILY SUMMARY: As here circumscribed, a family of about 28 genera and 500 species, of North America, Central America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The Convallariaceae has been supported by molecular studies (Judd 2003, Bogler & Simpson 1995). Molecular studies show that Nolina is much more closely related to Convallaria, Polygonatum, etc. than to the Agavaceae (Yucca and Manfreda in our flora), with which it has often been associated.
FAMILY REFERENCE: Bogler & Simpson (1995); Bogler in Kubitzki (1998a); Yeo in Kubitzki (1998a); Conran & Tamura in Kubitzki (1998a); Yamashita & Tamura (2000).

NCBG DESCRIPTIVES

INTRO: Erect-arching perennial of moist to dry forests.
STEMS: Stems unbranched, smooth with a waxy feel, sometimes with sheathing bracts at base.
LEAVES: Leaves alternate, sessile or clasping, lance-shaped to elliptic, 2-8 in. long, with prominent parallel veins, smooth, waxy-white beneath.
INFLORESCENCE:
FLOWERS: Flowers dangling below leaves on thin stalks from leaf axils, 1-5 flowers per axil; greenish white to yellow-green; 1/2-3/4 in. long; tubular and consisting of 6 tepal with spreading tips.
FRUITS: Fruit a blue-black, round berry.
COMMENTS: The similar but much larger P. biflorum var. commutatum has thicker stems, can reach heights of nearly 6 ft., and its flower stalks from lower leaf axils are strongly flattened.
HEIGHT: 1-3 ft.

DURATION: Perennial
HABIT: Herb

LEAF ARRANGEMENT:
LEAF COMPLEXITY: Simple
LEAF RETENTION:

FLORAL CHARACTERISTICS
SYMMETRY:
BLOOM TIME: April-June

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
			x	x	x

BLOOM COLOR: White to yellowish-white

White	Red	Pink	Orange	Yellow	Green	Blue	Lavender	Purple	Violet	Brown	Not Applicable
x				x

FRUITING PERIOD: Aug-Oct.

DISTRIBUTION
HABITAT TYPE: Dry forests, Moist forests
NATIVE RANGE: central & eastern North America

HORTICULTURAL
Plant Sale Text: Solomonâ€™s-seal is a choice southeastern native perennial. Its pairs of greenish-white bell shaped pendant flowers are very attractive when the plant is in bloom. Deep blue berries follow the flowers. Plant this species in moist, well-drained humusy soil to keep the foliage looking its best through the growing season. Plants in the Polygonatum genus have a history of use both for food and as medicine, by the Cherokee as well as by other Native American tribes.

Bloom Table Text: The graceful arching stems of this native perennial may reach three feet in length. Although the foliage is similar to that of Solomonâ€™s-plume (Maianthemum racemosum), the two are easily distinguished by the position of the flowers. Solomonâ€™s-seal has greenish-white flowers that dangle in pairs under the leaves, while the white flowers of Solomonâ€™s-plume are borne in a cluster at the tip of the stem. One explanation for the common name is the plantâ€™s age-old use as a balm to seal fresh wounds. Another interpretation is that the circular scars which occur on the roots resemble the royal seal of King Solomon. Because a single scar is added to the root each year, the number of scars indicates the age of the plant.

NCBG Location: Mountain Habitat, Totten Center Landscape

Cultural Notes:

SOIL MOISTURE: Moist/Wet, Well-drained
LIGHT EXPOSURE: Part Shade, Shade
MINIMUM HARDINESS ZONE: 3
MAXIMUM HARDINESS ZONE: 9
GERMINATION CODE:
WILDLIFE VALUE: Bee Friendly
DEER RESISTANCE:

GRIM COLLECTIONS

Coll_id	Project	Collection date	Collector	Action
1491	HORT	2006-08-14	Wilbur-Brooks	View
1569	HORT	2005-09-30	Bryan	View

GRIM ACCESSIONS

acc_id	acc_num	acc_dt	coll_id	Action
1372	1986-1150			View
2113	1986-1917			View
2781	1987-0279			View
3018	1988-0100			View
4172	1992-0328			View
4974	1995-0092			View
5697	1995-0823			View
6248	1995-1380			View
8212	2004-0233	2006-05-19		View
8213	2004-0234	2006-05-19		View
9327	2018-0211			View
9684	2007-0431	2024-01-04	0	View

GRIM PLANTINGS

plt_num	acc_id	loc_num	pers_num	inst_dt	Action
2387	1372	94	NCBG staff	0000-00-00	View
2388	1372	81	NCBG staff	2001-02-01	View
3538	2113	187	NCBG staff	1967-12-31	View
3539	2113	11	NCBG staff	1986-12-31	View
3540	2113	73	NCBG staff	1986-12-31	View
3541	2113	75	NCBG staff	1986-12-31	View
3542	2113	79	NCBG staff	1986-12-31	View
3543	2113	189	NCBG staff	1986-12-31	View
4619	2781	8	NCBG staff	1978-10-27	View
5002	3018	81	NCBG staff	1967-12-31	View
6500	4172	200	NCBG staff	1993-03-01	View
7393	4974	202	NCBG staff	1992-01-01	View
8211	5697	204	NCBG staff	1993-01-01	View
8903	6248	2	NCBG staff	0000-00-00	View
11482	8212	81	NCBG staff	2003-07-30	View
11483	8213	81	NCBG staff	2004-01-01	View
12484	9327	145	NCBG staff	0000-00-00	View
13091	0	18	Liloia	0000-00-00	View
13576	0	72	Liloia	0000-00-00	View
13602	9327	60	Liloia	0000-00-00	View
13724	0	74	Liloia	0000-00-00	View
14172	9684	65	Liloia	2007-12-03	View

USDA PLANTS DATABASE

USDA Symbol: POBI2
USDA Common Name: Smooth Solomon's Seal
Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Distribution: USA (AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY), CAN (MB, ON, QC, SK)
Duration: Perennial
Growth Habit: Forb/herb

NATIONAL WETLAND INDICATOR STATUS

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACU		FACU		FACU	FACU		FACU	FACU	FACU

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2016 National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.3 (Lichvar, R.W., D.L. Banks, W.N. Kirchner, and N.C. Melvin. 2016. The National Wetland Plant List: 2016 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2016-30: 1-17. Published 28 April 2016. ISSN 2153 733X). Regions: AGCP-Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain, AK-Alaska, AW-Arid West, CB-Caribbean, EMP-Eastern Mountains and Piedmont, GP-Great Plains, HI-Hawaii, MW-Midwest, NCNE-Northcentral and Northeast, WMCV-Western Mountains, Valleys & Coast

WEAKLEY FLORA

SCIENTIFIC NAME:
COMMON NAME:
SYNONYMY:
PHENOLOGY:
HABITAT:
COMMENTS:
RANGE MAP:

Key to Map Symbols

ABOUT FAMILY (Weakley Flora)
Ruscaceae M. Roemer 1840 (Ruscus Family)
SUMMARY: As here circumscribed, a family of about 28 genera and 500 species, of North America, Central America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The Convallariaceae has been supported by molecular studies (Judd 2003, Bogler & Simpson 1995). Molecular studies show that Nolina is much more closely related to Convallaria, Polygonatum, etc. than to the Agavaceae (Yucca and Manfreda in our flora), with which it has often been associated.
REFERENCE: Bogler & Simpson (1995); Bogler in Kubitzki (1998a); Yeo in Kubitzki (1998a); Conran & Tamura in Kubitzki (1998a); Yamashita & Tamura (2000).

ABOUT GENUS (Weakley Flora)
Polygonatum Mill. (Solomon's seal)
SUMMARY: A genus of about 57 species, of temperate Eurasia and North America (most diverse in e. Asia). The P. biflorum complex is in need of further study.
REFERENCE: Ownbey (1944)=Z; Judd (2003)=Y; Utech in FNA (2002a); Eigsti (1942); Therman (1950, 1953); Kawano & Iltis (1963); Conran & Tamura in Kubitzki (1998a).

HERBARIUM RESOURCES

SERNEC: Find Polygonatum biflorum in Southeast Regional Network of Experts and Collections (if available)
UNC SERNEC: Find Polygonatum biflorum in University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Herbarium - Southeast Regional Network of Experts and Collections (if available)

WEB RESOURCES

USDA: Find Polygonatum biflorum in USDA Plants
NPIN: Find Polygonatum biflorum in NPIN Database
FNA: Find Polygonatum biflorum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Polygonatum biflorum

IMAGE USE RECORDS

ID IMAGE: 20390 - Primary Image FloraQuest Plant Detail Page (Landscape Preferred)
ID IMAGE1: 16407 - Primary Image WOTAS
ID IMAGE2: 0 - Secondary Image WOTAS
ID IMAGE3: 18513 - Primary Image Plant Sale Sign (Landscape Only)
ID IMAGE4: 0 - Primary Image New Plant Sale Label (Portrait Only)