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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

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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

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image of plant© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan Cressler: Polygonatum biflorum var. variegatum, Duncan Ridge, Chattahoochee National Forest, Union County. Georgia 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Edwin Bridges | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan Weakley source | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

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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.


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