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Polygonatum biflorum is often confused with:
Polygonatum biflorum var. commutatum Giant Solomon seal
Polygonatum pubescens Flowers and leaves
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Trillium Trillium Form
Trillium grandiflorum Flowers
Viola sororia Viola papilionacea
Polygonatum biflorum has some common insect problems:
Slugs & Snails on Ornamental Plants

Solomon's Seal Polygonatum biflorum

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Solomon's Seal:

Previously known as:

  • Polygonatum commutatum
Phonetic Spelling
po-lig-oh-NAY-tum by-FLOR-um
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Solomon's seal is a native wildflower, growing in all areas of North Carolina except the southeastern coast. Grow it for its beautiful arching stems with perfectly oriented leaves. The small cream-colored flowers are borne in twos, as are the bluish-black, fleshy fruits.

It is a perennial herb with erect or arching, unbranched stems.  The leaves are in one plane.  The flowers are white, bell-shaped, 6-parted, with 1-2 hanging in the leaf axils.  The flowers are followed by a blue to black berry.

It is found in dry to moist, often rocky woods and thickets.  In the landscape flower garden grow as cultivated ornamental herbaceous perennial.  It does best in rich woodland soil but quite versatile, will do well in other natural areas.

Young shoots can be boiled for 10 minutes and served like asparagus. Whole shoots can be cut up and put into a salad.  The berries, if eaten are poisonous.  

The root is rhizomatous but non-colonizing.

Seed should be collected and sown in September.  If not sown when collected, treatment such as cold-moist stratification will be necessary.  Rhizome cuttings may lie dormant for up to one year.  Division can be done in the spring or fall when the plant is dormant.  

More information on Polygonatum.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
var. biflorum, var. commutatum, 'Variegatum'
Tags:
#poisonous#drought tolerant#edible plant#white flowers#shade garden#NC native#native garden#spring interest#pollinator plant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#HS302#perennial#wildflower#herb garden
 
Polygonatum biflorum
James St. John CC BY 4.0
Leaf arrangement is alternate
Leaf arrangement is alternate Mark A. Garland, USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database CC0
Fall Leaf Color
Fall Leaf Color Keith Ewing CC BY-NC 2.0
Polygonatum biflorum
Wplynn CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Polygonatum biflorum
Beautifulcatya CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Polygonatum biflorum
James Jason Hollinger CC BY 4.0
Polygonatum biflorum
Leaves Close-Up (Johnston County,NC) Chris Alberti CC BY 4.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
var. biflorum, var. commutatum, 'Variegatum'
Tags:
#poisonous#drought tolerant#edible plant#white flowers#shade garden#NC native#native garden#spring interest#pollinator plant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#HS302#perennial#wildflower#herb garden
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Polygonatum
    Species:
    biflorum
    Family:
    Asparagaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern North America, North Carolina
    Wildlife Value:
    Roots consumed by mammals. Fruits attract birds.
    Edibility:
    Young shoots can be boiled for 10 minutes. Rootstock can be eaten after boiled for 20 minutes.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Round bluish black berries, .25-.5"
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Green
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    0.5 in. bell-shaped, 6-parted greenish-white flowers produced in leaf axils hang downward
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    8-17 veined leaves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Zig Zags
    Stem Description:
    Unbranched stem, erect or arching. 1-5' tall.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Rock Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Vomiting, diarrhea.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Anthraquinone
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits