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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[152] (took on 15th June) Fruiting now.

[159_1] (took on 15th June)

[150] (took on 15th June)

[147_1] (took on 15th June)

A young fruit. (ripe fruit would turns red or black)

[150_1] (took on 15th June)
Remains of style at its tip.

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. Note the leaves attached directly to the stem without a petiole.

[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.

Filaments of stamens hairy (could not be seen above). (vs filaments smooth in  Polygonatum odoratum 玉竹、萎、尾參、地管子、鈴鐺菜, angular Solomon's-seal).