Polygonatum biflorum (Walter) Elliott var. biflorum . Common name: Small Solomon's-seal. Phenology: Apr-Jun; Aug-Oct. Habitat: Moist to dry forests. Distribution: CT, NY, and s. ON west to MI, NE, and IN, south to n. FL, s. AL, and e. TX.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Taxonomy Comments: In addition to the varieties recognized for our area, P. biflorum includes two additional varieties: var. melleum (Farwell) R. Ownbey of MI and ON, and var. necopinum R. Ownbey from the Black Hills of SD. The complex needs additional study. See var. commutatum for discussion of its distinction from var. biflorum.
Synonymy ⓘ: = NSProv, NY, Pa, Va, Ownbey (1944); = Polygonatum biflorum (Walter) Elliott — F, G, Il, K4, Tat, WV; = Polygonatum canaliculatum (Muhl. ex Willd.) Pursh — Tat; < Polygonatum biflorum (Walter) Elliott — Ar, C, ETx1, FNA26, NcTx, NE, Ok, POWO, RAB, Tn, Tx, W, WH3, Judd (2003); >< Polygonatum biflorum (Walter) Elliott var. biflorum; >< Polygonatum biflorum (Walter) Elliott var. commutatum (Schult.f.) Morong — Mo1; < Polygonatum commutatum (Schult.f.) A.Dietr. — S; < Salomonia biflora (Walter) Britton — S13; Convallaria biflora Walter — (basionym)
Links to other floras: < Polygonatum biflorum - FNA26
Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Great Plains: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Midwest: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
Heliophily ⓘ: 3
Hover over a shape, letter, icon, or arrow on the map for definition or see the legend.






Feedback
See something wrong or missing on about Polygonatum biflorum var. biflorum? Let us know here: (Please include your name and email if at all complicated so we can clarify if needed.) We greatly appreciate feedback, and will include updates from you in our next webapp update, which can take a few months.
Horticultural Information
Intro | Stems | Leaves | Inforescence | Flowers | Fruits | Comments | Height | plant sale text | bloom table text | description | stems | leaves | inflorescence | flowers | fruits | comments | cultural notes | germination code | native range |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Upright, arching perennial. | Stems unbranched, smooth with a waxy feel, sometimes with sheathing bracts at base. | Leaves alternate, sessile or clasping, lance-shaped to elliptic, 2-8 in. long, with prominent parallel veins, smooth, waxy-white lower surface. | Flowers dangling below leaves on thin stalks from leaf axils, 1-5 flowers per axil; greenish white to yellow-green, 1/2-3/4 in. long, tubular with 6 spreading tepal tips. | Fruit a blue-black, round berry about 1/3 in. wide. | The similar but much larger P. biflorum var. commutatum has thicker stems, can reach heights of nearly 6 ft., and its flower stalks from lower leaf axils are strongly flattened. | 1-3 ft. | Upright, arching perennial. | Stems unbranched, smooth with a waxy feel, sometimes with sheathing bracts at base. | Leaves alternate, sessile or clasping, lance-shaped to elliptic, 2-8 in. long, with prominent parallel veins, smooth, waxy-white lower surface. | Flowers dangling below leaves on thin stalks from leaf axils, 1-5 flowers per axil; greenish white to yellow-green, 1/2-3/4 in. long, tubular with 6 spreading tepal tips. | Fruit a blue-black, round berry about 1/3 in. wide. | The similar but much larger P. biflorum var. commutatum has thicker stems, can reach heights of nearly 6 ft., and its flower stalks from lower leaf axils are strongly flattened. |
0 unsaved edits on this page.