Fauna and Flora in UK: Polygonatum odoratum 玉竹、萎、尾參、地管子、鈴鐺菜

Thursday, 18 September 2025

Polygonatum odoratum 玉竹、萎、尾參、地管子、鈴鐺菜

Common name: Angular Solomon's-seal
Scientific name: Polygonatum odoratum 玉竹、萎、尾參、地管子、鈴鐺菜
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 & 15th June (fruiting)

[125417] Found in limestone pavement.

[157] (took on 15th June)

Emergent from grikes (岩)溶溝.

(A deep cleft formed in limestone surfaces due to water erosion)

[422] A cluster of angular Solomon's-seal in a grike.

[512] Younger plants.

[511_1] Very young plants with only one leaf.

[497_1] Young plant with more leaves.

[503_1] The base of the stem (see enlarged photo below).

[505_1] The base of the stem arising from the underground rhizome.

[453] Flowering plant.

[438] Stems distinctly angled. Note the leaves are attached directly to the stem without a petiole.

[439] Stems distinctly angled and also twisted. (vs stems smooth in Solomon's-seal, Polygonatum multiflorum 多花黃精)

[433_1] Upper surface of a leaf.

[427_1] Lower surface of a leaf.

[448] Flowers in clusters of 1-2 (one above). (vs in 2-5 flowered clusters in Solomon's-seal, Polygonatum multiflorum 多花黃精)

[427]

[428_1] Flower bud.

[429_1] Open flower. Flower tubular, not contracted in middle. (vs flower contracted in middle in Solomon's-seal, Polygonatum multiflorum 多花黃精)

[507_1] Front view of a flower, showing 6 perianth segments.

[443_1] 6 perianth segments.

[443_2] Enlarged photo above showing the 6 glabrous filaments (Ft) with yellow anthers at their tips (Ar). Note the stamens arose directly from the inner surface of perianths. In the middle of the flower, there is one style (Se) with stigma (Sa) at its tip. (vs hairy filaments in Solomon's-seal, Polygonatum multiflorum 多花黃精)

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