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Cressler, Alan

Polygonatum pubescens

Polygonatum pubescens (Willd.) Pursh

Hairy Solomon's Seal

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

Synonym(s): Convallaria pubescens

USDA Symbol: POPU4

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

Hairy Solomons Seal (Polygonatum pubescens) is distinguished by minute hairs along veins on undersides of leaves.

Hairy Solomon�s Seal is a member of the lily family (family Liliaceae). Lilies are mostly perennial herbs from rhizomes, bulbs, or corms, some rather woody and treelike, and often showy flowers in racemes or branched racemes.

From the Image Gallery

2 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Berry
Fruit: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: CT , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , NS , ON
Native Habitat: dry to moist woods

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Clay, Loam, Sand

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Birds, Butterflies
Use Food: EDIBLE PARTS / PREPARATION: Young shoots can be boiled for 10 minutes and served like asparagus. Whole shoots can be cut up and put into salads. The rootstocks can be added to stew or boiled for 20 minutes and eaten like potatoes. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: Berries. Only low toxicity if ingested. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea. Toxic Principle: Anthraquinone.
Attracts: Birds

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:					FACU

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Additional resources

USDA: Find Polygonatum pubescens in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Polygonatum pubescens in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Polygonatum pubescens

Metadata

Record Modified: 2014-08-22
Research By: TWC Staff

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