Polygonatum biflorum (Walter) Elliott var. biflorum

Smooth Solomon's Seal; Small Solomon's Seal

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Smooth Solomon's Seal is a native perennial in the Ruscus family (Ruscaceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. Smooth Solomon's Seal grows in dry to mesic hardwood forests, in ravines, and along streams and rivers. It is a perennial from a thick rhizome. The unbranched stems are up to 3 feet in length and arching. The leaves are alternate, sessile, and clasping. Leaves are lanceolate to elliptic in outline, entire, and glabrous. Flowers are produced in racemes from the axils of the leaves. The racemes have from 1-10 pendulous flowers. The flowers have six greenish, yellowish, or white tepals. The tepals are fused at the base into a tube and the tips are spreading. The fruit is a dark blue or black globose berry. There are both diploid and tetraploid populations of Solomon's Seal. Tetraploids (Polygonatum biflorum (Walter) Elliott var. commutatum (J.A. & J.H. Schultes) Morong) are usually, but not always, larger than the diploids. Smooth Solomon's Seal is commonly available from wildflower nurseries. It is easy to grow in moist, organic rich soil in full or partial shade. It spreads by rhizomes and often forms large patches. The common name is believed to be in reference to the large circular scars left by the old stalks along the rhizome.--A. Diamond

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Native

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