Leaf
Florent Beck, Tela Botanica · CC BY-SA 2.0
Common Solomon's seal
Polygonatum multiflorum (L.) All.
Also known as: Solomon's seal, David's harp
Family: Asparagaceae
30 to 80 cm tall
Cool woodland understorey, often on chalky soil
Flowering: May – June
Part shade
Shade
Hardy to -15°C
❓ How do you recognise this plant?
The rhizome bears stacked round scars, a little like a seal — hence its name.
🍃 Leaves
Ovate, alternate in two ranks, arching veins
🌸 Flowers
Small greenish-white bells hanging beneath the arching stem
🍎 Fruits
Small toxic blue-black berries
🪵 Bark
Underground rhizome marked with round scars
🗺️ Distribution
Europe; found in open woods and shaded hedgerows in France.
🐝 Value for pollinators
Small greenish-white bells hanging along the arching stem, visited by bumblebees in spring.
✂️ Horticultural uses
Shaded borders, woodland planting, edgings; graceful arching silhouette much appreciated in woodland gardens.
⚠️ Possible toxicity
Toxic, especially the black berries when ripe (saponins); causes digestive upset if ingested.
🌿 Other Asparagaceae to discover
ℹ️ Educational profile — do not use it to judge whether a plant is edible or safe.
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