Polygonatum multiflorum 多花黃精

Common name: Solomon's-seal
Scientific name: Polygonatum multiflorum 多花黃精
Genus: Polygonatum 黃精屬
Family: Asparagaceae 天門冬科*, asparagus family

Remarks*: It is previously belonged to the Liliaceae 百合科, the lily family.

Origin: native

Date: 18th May

[367] Glabrous, rhizomatous perennial, can grow up to 80 cm. Stem arching.

[364] Leaves all cauline (莖生葉), alternate.

[372]

[372_1] Leaves 5-12 cm.

[358_1] Underside of the leaf showing the veins.

[363] Stem smooth (vs stem distinctly angled in Polygonatum odoratum 玉竹、萎、尾參、地管子、鈴鐺菜, angular Solomon's-seal). Leaves cauline.

[371]

[356]

[361] Flowers in 2-5-flowered axillary clusters (see the red numbers 2, 3, 4 and 5 above) (vs flowers in clusters of 1-2 in Polygonatum odoratum 玉竹、萎、尾參、地管子、鈴鐺菜, angular Solomon's-seal).

[361_2] Enlarged photo above to show a 5-flowered cluster. The flowers had probably finished flowering. Greenish ovaries could now be seen at the bottom of the flowers probably because they are fertilized and enlarged a little bit..

[353] Side view of the flowers.

[353] Flowers tubular, 9-15 mm, contracted in middle (vs flowers 15-30 mm, not contracted in middle in Polygonatum odoratum 玉竹、萎、尾參、地管子、鈴鐺菜, angular Solomon's-seal). 

[349_3] Ready to open flower bud.

[349_2] Flower bud that open a little. Note the white hairs of the tip of the petals. 

[348_4] Perianth segments 6 , valvate, connate proximally and forming a tube, stamens 6.