Convallaria multiflora L.

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Eurasian Solomon's-seal
• multi-flowered Solomon's-seal
• Common Solomon's Seal
• Solomon's-Seal
• Eurasian Solomon's seal

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Polygonatum multiflorum subsp. bracteatum
• Polygonatum multiflorum f. ramosum
• Polygonatum multiflorum var. ramosum
• Polygonatum multiflorum var. ovatum
• Convallaria multiflora var. latifolia
• Polygonatum multiflorum var. obtusifolium
• Convallaria multiflora var. major
• Convallaria multiflora var. ramosa
• Polygonatum multiflorum var. humile
• Polygonatum multiflorum var. latifolium
• Convallaria multiflora
• Convallaria multiflora var. obtusifolia
• Polygonatum salamonis
• Polygonatum multiflorum proles ambiguum
• Convallaria ambigua
• Convallaria multiflora var. ambigua
• Polygonatum multiflorum var. bracteatum
• Polygonatum intermedium
• Polygonatum bracteatum
• Polygonatum multiflorum f. bracteatum
• Convallaria multiflora var. bracteata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asparagales, it is further categorized into the family Asparagaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Polygonatum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions in Northern Europe. Its presence has been documented within the borders of Denmark. Furthermore, the species can be found growing in the landscapes of Finland. It also extends its reach to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, the distribution of this medicinal plant includes the country of Norway.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Polygonatum multiflorum is characterized by its preference for specific montane environments, thriving primarily within the sheltered conditions of forests and shrubberies. This species occupies a distinct altitudinal niche, typically found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 1800 m AMSL to a maximum of 3000 m AMSL. By inhabiting these wooded and shrub-dominated landscapes, the plant benefits from the dappled light and moisture-retentive soils characteristic of such ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1800 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Polygonatum multiflorum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in its habitat through multiple growing seasons. As a cryptophyte, it relies on underground structures to survive unfavorable periods, specifically functioning as a geophyte where its vital organs are protected beneath the soil surface. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage annually in response to seasonal changes, which allows it to enter a period of dormancy before emerging again in the subsequent spring.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Polygonatum multiflorum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber or a parasite, growing independently in terrestrial environments rather than as an epiphyte or aquatic species. The plant typically reaches a mean height of 0.445 m, with individual specimens ranging from a minimum height of 0.3 m to a maximum height of 0.8 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.8 m

Plant height mean:

0.445 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Polygonatum multiflorum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. As a non-carnivorous species, the plant relies entirely on autotrophic nutrition through photosynthesis and soil-based nutrient uptake rather than capturing prey. Its leaf morphology exhibits a mean leaf size of 20.3825 cm², supporting a structural design optimized for light interception. This is further reflected in its Specific Leaf Area (SLA), which has a mean value of 438.4 cm²/g, indicating a relatively thin and expansive leaf structure that facilitates efficient gas exchange and light harvesting within its ecological niche.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

20.3825 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

438.4 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Polygonatum multiflorum is characterized by a seasonal flowering period that typically begins in May and concludes in June. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects such as bees to facilitate the transfer of pollen. While the plant is capable of self-fertilization, its reproductive cycle is heavily integrated with animal and environmental vectors. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces fruit classified as a berry, which is indehiscent in nature and maintains an average width of 0.93 cm. The resulting seeds are relatively small, with a minimum mass of 0.02385 g, a maximum mass of 0.0286 g, and a mean mass of approximately 0.0602185 g. Dispersal is achieved through a combination of syndromes, primarily being zoochorous (animal-dispersed) and anemochorous (wind-dispersed). Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this species, meaning it relies entirely on its sexual reproductive processes for propagation.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width mean:

0.93 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.0286 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0602185 g

Seed mass min:

0.02385 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Polygonatum multiflorum has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Antioxidant, Asparaginic acid, L-Azetidine-2-carboxylic acid, L-alpha,gamma-Diaminobutyric acid, Lectin.

Antioxidant

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Asparaginic acid

1. Ukrainskii biokhimicheskii zhurnal (1978)

L-Azetidine-2-carboxylic acid

1. Dr. Duke

L-alpha,gamma-Diaminobutyric acid

1. Dr. Duke

Lectin

1. Ukrainskii biokhimicheskii zhurnal (1978)

ent-Epicatechin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Polygonatum multiflorum has 7 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antimutagenic, Antioxidant, Convulsant.

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Antimicrobial

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Antimutagenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antioxidant

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Convulsant

1. Dr. Duke

Hepatotoxic

1. Dr. Duke

Pesticide

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Polygonatum multiflorum has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include obesity.

Obesity

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Preparations

Polygonatum multiflorum has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Crude extracts, aqueous extract, lectin.

Crude extracts

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Aqueous extract

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Lectin

1. Ukrainskii biokhimicheskii zhurnal (1978)