Polygonatum biflorum
Solomon's Seal
Family Liliaceae
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Use
Cooked. Young shoots can be boiled for 10 minutes and served like asparagus. The rootstocks can be added to stews or boiled like potatoes.
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Description
Growth Form: Herbaceous plant with stout rootstock, and flowers and berries along underside of stem.
Leaves: Paralell- veined leaves. Arranged alternately on a single stem.
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Leaves
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Whole Plant
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Flowers: Greenish yellow. Hang off underside of stem. Come in pairs. Flower April-June.
Fruits: Hang off underside of stem. Come in pairs. Bluish-Black.
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Habitat and Range
Woods and thickets.Great Lakes region to as far south as Connecticut.
Season
Shoots available in the spring. Rootstocks can be harvested year-round.
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Fun Facts
A close relative to the Lily-of-the-Valley.
The bruised roots were much used as a popular cure for black eyes, mixed with cream.
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