Polygonatum
(the old Greek name, used by Dioscorides, from poly, many, and gonu, a knee-joint; alluding to the numerously-jointed stem). Solomon's Seal. SYNS. Axillaria, Evallaria. ORD. Liliaceae. A genus comprising (according to Mr. Baker) twenty-three species of pretty, mostly hardy, herbaceous, border plants, broadly dispersed over North temperate regions. Flowers nodding or pendulous, solitary in the axils, or frequently shortly and loosely racemose or sub-umbellate, on short peduncles; perianth marcescent, at length deciduous, with short, erecto-patent lobes. Berry globose, pulpy. Leaves alternate, opposite, or whorled, ovate, lanceolate, or linear, in one species shortly cirrhose-acuminate at apex. The species, the best known of which are here described, are of very easy culture in a moderately good, loamy soil. They are all hardy, except where otherwise stated, and are admirably adapted for naturalising in woods and copses. P. multiflorum, the common Solomon's Seal, is a fine subject for forcing. The plants may be grown in the open ground all summer, and potted-up ready for forcing after the stems die down. The large, fleshy rootstocks may be placed rather thickly in 6in. pots, and, after flowering is over, transferred again to the open ground. Large quantities of Solomon's Seal are annually imported purposely for forcing; but it may be prepared at home, by providing a good soil, and planting each year according to the quantity required. Propagated easily by divisions. P. biflorum (two-flowered).* fl., perianth greenish, 1/2in long; peduncles one to three, but mostly two, flowered. May. l. ovate-or lanceolate-oblong, nearly sessile, usually minutely pubescent, at least on the veins, pale or glaucous beneath. Stem slender, 1ft. to 3ft. high. North America. P. japonicum (Japanese). fl. one to three in the axils, drooping; perianth 1/2in. to 3/4in. long, with a white tube and green, deltoid teeth. April. l. ten to twelve, alternate, ascending, oblong, 2in. to 3in. long, acute, above obscurely glaucous, below distinctly so. Stem 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. high. Japan. P. multiflorum (many-flowered).* Common Solomon's Seal; David's Harp; Lady's Seal. fl. white; perianth about eight lines long, constricted in the middle; peduncles two to five-flowered. June. fr. bluish-black. l. alternate, 3in. to 5in. long, with very short petioles, oblong, stem-clasping. Stem 2ft. to 3ft. high, terete. Northern hemisphere (Britain) SYN. Convallaria multiflora (F. D. 152). There are two or three varieties of this very pretty plant; one, flore-pleno, has double flowers, and another, striatum, variegated leaves. P. officinale (officinal). fl. white, having the perianth constricted at the base. fr. dark violet. l. ten to twelve, alternate, oblong, semi-amplexicaul. Stems about 1ft. high, angular. Northern hemisphere (Britain). SYNS. P. vulgare, Convallaria Polygonatum (F. D. 377).
P. o. macranthum (large-flowered). A very large-flowered form. h. 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. Japan. (B.M.6133.) P. oppositifolium (opposite-leaved). fl. many, disposed in opposite corymbs; perianth tube white, beautifully ribbed with red; segments greenish; peduncles four-to ten-flowered. April. fr. scarlet. l. ten to twenty or more, oblong, acuminate, very shortly petiolate, all opposite. Stems 2ft. to 4ft. high. Himalayas, 1822. Greenhouse. (B.M. 3529, H.E.F. 125, and L.B.C. 640, under name of Convallaria oppositifolia). The form albovittatum has red stems, and leaves striped with white.
P. punctatum (dotted). fl., perianth tube white, lilac-dotted; segments greenish. May. l. twelve to twenty, ascendent, all opposite, rarely alternate, oblong-lanceolate, 2in. to 3in. long, cuneate at base, shortly petiolate, rigid. Stems 1ft. to 2ft. high, angular, sulcate. India, 1857. (B. M. 5061.) P. roseum (rosy). fl. rose-colour, twin in the axils, on very short pedicels; perianth nearly 1/2in. long, with a cylindrical tube and short teeth. May. l. ascendant, linear or lanceolate, acuminate, sub-petiolate, 3in. to 5in. long; upper ones opposite or ternate; those at the tips of the stems whorled. Stems 2ft. to 3ft. high, sulcate. Central Siberia. (B.M.5049.) P. verticillatum (whorled). fl. greenish, rather smaller than those of P. multiflorum; perianth constricted in the middle; peduncle one to three-flowered. June. fr. red. l. whorled, sessile, lanceolate. Stem 2ft. to 4ft. high, angular. Northern hemisphere (Britain). SYN. Convallaria verticillata (F. D. 86).
P. vulgare (common). A synonym of P. officinale.
