Polygonatum biflorum – Solomon’s Seal (B&B.H.HMR.M.NB.OP)

Ecosystem Services:
(B)-Birds                                             (B&B)-Birds & Butterflies

(BTF)-Butterflies                             (BW)-Black Walnut Resistant

(DR)-Deer Resistant                      (DRGHT)-Drought Resistant

(EC)-Erosion Control                    (EVR)-Evergreen

(FC)-Fall Color                                 (FRG)-Fragrant

(GRD)-Groundcover                      (H)-Host plant

(HMR)-Hummingbirds                (M)-Mammals

(MTH)-Moths                                   (N)-Nectar

(NB)-Native Bees                            (NST)-Nesting Material

(OP)-Other pollinators                 (RR)-Rabbit Resistant

(SHWY)-Showy                                (SPC)-Specimen Plant

Solomon’s seal is a native wildflower. 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.

Host plant for several species of butterflies and moths.