Solomon's Seal

Growth habit

Herbaceous

Perennation

Long-lived polycarpic perennial

Native distribution

W Sichuan, NW Yunnan

Source of plant

Heronswood (PA)

Description

Rhizome usually shortly branched, subterete, sometimes submoniliform due to many short branches, 5-10 mm thick. Stem erect, 15-35 cm, glabrous. Leaves many, in whorls of 3-6, occasionally also alternate or opposite, sessile, linear-lanceolate to linear, 3-7 cm — 1-5 mm, apex acuminate, ascending before anthesis, ± pendulous after anthesis. Inflorescences 1- or 2-flowered; peduncle 7-9 mm; bracts caducous or absent. Flowers pendulous; pedicel 2-4 mm. Perianth pale purple, cylindric, 6-8 mm; lobes 1.5-2 mm. Filaments very short, ca. 0.7 mm, slightly scabrous; anthers ca. 1.5 mm. Ovary ca. 2 mm. Style subequaling ovary. Berries red, 6-8 mm in diam., 3-7-seeded. Fl. May-Jul, fr. Sep-Oct. 2 n = 28*. Forests, grasslands

USDA Hardiness Zone

5