Polyganatum multiflorum (Liliaceae)

Description
Solomon’s seal is a truly splendid plant. It has a wonderful aura with its pale green stems stretching up to a height of 60 cms (2 ft) arching over beautifully at the top. Great oval leaves alternate across the top half just like wings above the dangling waxy white-colored bell-like blossoms.

History
The hybrid P. multflorumm cross odoratum is actually probably the most common representative of the genus throughout gardens, even though multiflorum is the true officinal plant and is a indigenous to European countries.

As an application for black eyes it was known to the battered spouses from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. As outlined by the venerable John Gerard writing in his typically captivating style: ‘The roots of Solomon’s seal, stamped while fresh and greene and applied taketh away in one night or two at the most, any bruise blacke or blew spots gotten by fals or womens’ wilfulness in stimbling upin their hastie husband’s fists, or such like’. According to him ‘there is not another herb to be found comparable to it’ for the knitting of broken bones.’

Usage
Solomon’s seal has been traditionally grown because of its creeper-like roots which supplied a tonic and astringent; the powdered root was applied to bruises as well as tumorous haernorrhoids to relieve pain.

The plant has for centuries been applied as a cosmetic to clear freckles in addition to being a skin tonic. In Turkey the fresh shoots, which are folded spikes of green, are generally gathered and prepared with asparagus.

Cultivation
Solomon’s seal enjoys a gently shaded spot in a bed of properly spaded light soil with a bit of clay for water retention. If happy, it will soon establish itself into sizable clumps. Generally the clumps should be split when the stalks die down in the Fall but in a moist or damp area transplanting and splitting out may be done at almost any time. Seed should be sown late in summer or in early Fall (Autumn) as soon as it is ripe and available. A top dressing of leaf mulch is advised from time to time.

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