Solomon’s seal (Filler)

Filler. From our last visit to Ohio and the Schedel Arboretum and Garden in Elmore.

From Missouri Botanical Garden, http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=l820 » “Polygonatum odoratum, commonly called fragrant Solomon's seal, is a rhizomatous, shade-loving perennial that typically grows to 18-24” tall on low, gracefully arching, angled (as opposed to cylindrical), unbranched stems. It is native to shaded slopes and woodland areas in temperate regions of Europe and Asia. Each stem (to 18" long) rises singly from the rhizome clad with 8-17 alternate, upright, parallel-veined, elliptic to ovate-oblong leaves (to 4" long). Leaves turn an attractive yellow in fall. Greenish-white tubular flowers (to 7/8" long) on short pedicels droop (usually in pairs but sometimes solitarily) from the leaf axils along and beneath the arching stems. Flowers have a sweet, lily-like fragrance. Flowers bloom late spring to early summer (May-June). Flowers are followed by attractive pendulous blue-black berries (each 1/4" diameter) in fall which hang downward from the leaf axils.

“Genus name comes from Greek poly meaning many and gonu meaning knee joint in reference to the jointed plant rhizomes.

”Specific epithet comes from the Latin word odoratus meaning sweet smelling in reference to the fragrance of plant flowers.

“Common name is usually considered to be in reference to the large, circular seals (leaf stalk scars) located on the rhizomes. However, some authorities suggest the common name actually refers to ‘wound sealing properties’ of the plant.”

Species page at PhytoImages, http://phytoimages.siu.edu/cgi-bin/dol/dol_terminal.pl?taxon_name=Polygonatum_odoratum&rank=binomial

This photo at PhytoImages, http://phytoimages.siu.edu/imgs/paraman1/r/Ruscaceae_Polygonatum_odoratum_110861.html

1 year ago (“More 11th hour desperation…”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2015-05-15
2 years ago (“Distracted & conflicted”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2014-05-15
3 years ago (“Cat’s-eye view”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-05-15
4 years ago (“After the ‘pyrite’”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-05-15
5 years ago (“Finis!”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-05-15

[ IMG_0725S8x11Atm :: f/5 :: 1/250" :: ISO-200 :: 60mm ]