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Asparagaceae
Solomon's Seal
Polygonatum biflorum
Wisdom, hidden truth, healing.
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Genus
- Polygonatum
- Native to
- Eastern North America
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Type
- Rhizomatous perennial
- Height
- 30–90 cm
- Sunlight
- Part shade to full shade
- Soil
- Rich, moist, woodland
- Water
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- 3–9
- Lifespan
- Very long-lived
Did you know
- Each year a new stem grows from the rhizome and leaves a circular scar when it dies back — the scars resemble the seal of King Solomon, hence the name.
- You can age a Solomon's seal plant by counting the leaf scars on the rhizome — each scar represents one year of growth.
- The arching stems with paired bell-flowers hanging in a row beneath are some of the most graceful forms in the woodland garden.
- It's distantly related to asparagus and lily of the valley; the young shoots were eaten by Indigenous peoples in early spring.
- Pollinated mainly by long-tongued bumblebees that crawl into the dangling tubular flowers.
Color meanings
White
Quiet wisdom