Polygonatum odoratum

True Solomon's Seal ( Polygonatum odoratum )

The True Solomon's Seal ( Polygonatum odoratum ), also Fragrant white root, is a plant from the family of asparagus plants ( Asparagaceae ). Note the similarity and possible confusion in many places much more common related species Vielblütige 's seal ( Polygonatum multiflorum, there also to comments mythology).

Identifying

When Real Solomon's seal is a perennial, herbaceous plant that reaches the plant height of 15 to 50, rarely up to 100 centimeters. It is a rhizome, which has a diameter of 5 to 14 cm, is formed as Überdauerungsorgan. At the rhizome of the dying stalks leaves the seal -like impression, which led to the common name. Your erect, smooth stem grows bent over and is - in contrast to many-flowered Weißwurz - sharp-edged. The seven to twelve alternate and distichous standing, sessile leaves are simple, entire, parallel-veined, 5 to 12 (rarely to 20 ) long and 3-6 (rarely to 8) cm wide cm. Stipules absent.

The flowering period extends from May to June. The flowers grow singly or hanging in pairs in the leaf axils. The 5-10 (rarely to 20 ) mm long flower stems are not bent. The slightly fragrant flowers are hermaphroditic and threefold radial symmetry. The tubular perianth consists of six cylindrical to campanulate - cylindrical fused bloom cladding, they are white with green tip long and 11 to 20, rarely up to 25 millimeters. There are six stamens; the stamens are usually bare; the anthers are about 4 mm long. The three carpels are fused into a superior ovaries, which is about 3 to 4 mm long. The stylus has a length of 10 to 14 mm.

The blue-black, frosted berries have a diameter of 7 to 10 ( rarely to 12) mm, and each contain seven to nine seeds.

Occurrence

The True Solomon's Seal has a wide natural range in Eurasia: China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Russia and Europe. It grows in shrubs hem as well as in light oak and mixed pine forests and bushes dry warm locations. It is among other things as a Kennart of the Association of heat requiring Bloody Cranesbill fringes ( Geranion sanguinei R. Tx. Theory in Müller 1961).

Toxicity

The whole plant, especially the berries, contains the toxins homoserine lactone, chelidonic ( Schoell acid, Jervasäure ), saponins, and other, partially unknown substances. Active heart glycosides do not occur according to recent research.

Symptoms of poisoning are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The Russian folk medicine used the pounded root as an emetic. The high saponin content of the seeds may possibly be the cause of poisoning. In general there is only lighter poisoning.

Evidence

• Erich Götz: Plants determine the computer. 2001, ISBN 3-8252-8168- X
• Minoru N. Tamura: in Flora of China, Volume 24, page 226 Polygonatum odoratum - Online. ( English )
• True Solomon's Seal. In: FloraWeb.de.