Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum ‘Variegatum’ Variegated Solomon’s Seal, variega
This cultivar of Polygonatum odoratum is notable for its green and white leaves. Identification: Plants are 8-20″ (20-50 cm) high, typically bending slightly. Leaves are oval, alternate, on a single stalk. Flowers are greenish-white, tubular, hanging downward. I always see the flowers in pairs. Berries are black or dark blue, less than ¼″ (6.3 mm) around. |
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Some similar species:
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Polygonatum biflorum |
You are here Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum ‘Variegatum’ |
Polygonatum humile |
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Common Name | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Plant | Up to 2′ (60 cm) long. | Reaches 8-20″ (20-50 cm). | Up to 1′ (30 cm) in height. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flowers | Greenish-white, about ½″ (1.3 cm) long by ⅛″ (3.2 mm) around, bell-shaped, hanging in groups of 1-5. | White or greenish-white, like long bells, about ½″ (1.3 cm) long, hanging downward, often in pairs. Whiter than P. biflorum.. |
White, bell-shaped, about ¼″ (8.3 mm) long, hanging singly from stem. |
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Leaves | Up to 7″ (18 cm) by 2½″ (7 cm), oval, with pointed ends and parallel veins, yellow-green. | Oval, green fringed with white, 3-9″ (7.6-22 cm) long. | Elliptical, green, 1-3″ (2.5-7.6 cm) long. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fruit | ¼″ (6.3 mm) blue berries. | Dark blue to black, less than ¼″ (6.3 mm) around. | Shiny black, about ⅛″ (3.2 mm) around. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Range/ Zones | USDA Zones: 3-9 | USDA Zones: 4-8 | USDA Zones: 5-8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Habitats | Woods, prairies, in sandy, loamy soil | Wooded areas, dappled shade, deep shade | Full to partial shade in temperate climates | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Type | Wild | Cultivar | Wild |
Edibility: Poisonous All parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested. One source claims that young shoots are edible, but I am dubious.
Online References:
Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants
Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum ‘Variegatum’ description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 16 Sep 2020.
Range: Zones 4-8: