Polygonatum humile (Dwarf Solomon’s Seal)

Polygonatum humile

Dwarf Solomon’s Seal

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Magnoliophyta	Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class	Liliopsida	Monocots (plants with a single seed leaf); includes the lily family
Subclass	Liliidae	Includes lilies, orchids, and many others
Order	Asparagales	A diverse group that includes asparagus
Family	Asparagaceae	Agaves, asparagus, hyacinths, and others
Genus	Polygonatum	Greek for “with many knees,” referring to the swollen joints of stems
Species	humile	Low-growing, humble

About plant names...

Dwarf Solomon’s seal is native to eastern Europe and western Asia. In North America, it is found only in gardens.

Identification: Plants are less than 12" (30 cm) in height, comfortable in the full or partial shade under trees. White, bell-shaped flowers occur along the stem. Elliptical green leaves are about 1-3" (2.5-7.6 cm) long. Berries are shiny, black, about ⅛" (3.2 mm).

4/28/2010 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, MA
≈ 26 × 18" (65 × 46 cm)

5/29/2007 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, MA

Some similar species:

	*Polygonatum biflorum*	*Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum ‘Variegatum’*	You are here Polygonatum humile
Common Name	Smooth Solomon’s-seal	Variegated Solomon’s Seal	Dwarf Solomon’s Seal
Plant	Up to 24" (60 cm) long.	Reaches 8-20" (20-50 cm).	Up to 12" (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.
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