Angular Solomon's-Seal

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Angular Solomon's-Seal
• Solomon's-seal
• aromatic Solomon's-seal
• Scented Solomon's-seal

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Convallaria odorata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asparagales and the family Asparagaceae, it is classified under the genus Polygonatum. Specifically, Polygonatum odoratum represents a distinct species within this botanical lineage.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several Northern European territories. It can be found growing within the borders of Denmark and Finland. Additionally, the species is present in the natural landscapes of Great Britain. Its range also extends into the northern reaches of Norway. Finally, the plant is documented to inhabit various regions throughout Sweden.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Polygonatum odoratum is characterized by its preference for forest habitats, where it thrives under the protective canopy of woodland environments. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying diverse ecological niches across varying mountain terrains. It is typically found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 500 m AMSL to a maximum of 3000 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range of approximately 1750 m AMSL. This ability to persist across a wide vertical gradient allows the plant to adapt to a variety of microclimates and temperature regimes inherent to forested slopes.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1750 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

500 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Polygonatum odoratum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its persistence in the ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a cryptophyte, specifically utilizing underground structures to survive unfavorable conditions, and is classified as a chamaephyte in terms of its growth habit. The plant follows a deciduous cycle, shedding its foliage annually as it transitions through its seasonal phases.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

chamaephyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Polygonatum odoratum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a terrestrial herb that functions independently without parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. As a self-supporting plant rather than a climber, it maintains an upright structure with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 1 m, with a mean plant height of approximately 0.3 m. Its physical structure is entirely non-woody, consistent with its herbaceous nature.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.3 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Polygonatum odoratum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common adaptation for plants operating in temperate forest understories. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies entirely on autotrophic nutrient acquisition through its root system and carbon fixation. The leaf morphology plays a critical role in its energy production, with leaf dimensions showing significant variability; the leaves typically exhibit a mean length of 8.5 cm, ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 12 cm, while the width varies from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 16 cm. These dimensions contribute to a mean leaf size of 22.7 cm². Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 328.66 cm²/g, a physiological metric that reflects its leaf thickness and its capacity for light interception and gas exchange within its ecological niche.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

12 cm

Leaf length mean:

8.5 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf size mean:

22.7 cm²

Leaf width max:

16 cm

Leaf width min:

3 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

328.66 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Polygonatum odoratum is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily utilizing insects such as bees to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The flowering period typically begins in May and concludes in June, during which the plant exhibits self-fertilization capabilities. Following successful pollination, the plant develops indehiscent fruit categorized as a berry. These berries are relatively small, with a mean length of 0.88 cm (ranging from 0.7 cm to 1 cm) and a mean width of 0.885 cm (ranging from 0.7 cm to 1 cm). The seeds contained within the fruit have a mean mass of approximately 0.08687766675 g, though specific recorded measurements show a range between 0.02142 g and 0.0373 g. Dispersal is achieved through zoochorous and autochorous syndromes, allowing the plant to spread its progeny via animals or other localized mechanisms. Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this species, making sexual reproduction through these fruiting processes essential for its life cycle.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.88 cm

Fruit length min:

0.7 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width max:

1 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.885 cm

Fruit width min:

0.7 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.0373 g

Seed mass mean:

0.08687766675 g

Seed mass min:

0.02142 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Polygonatum odoratum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome, root.

Rhizome

1. Genomics
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Root

1. Fitoterapia
2. Journal of Asian natural products research

Chemicals

Polygonatum odoratum has 43 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Polysaccharide, kaempferol, (3R)-5,7-dihydroxyl-3-(2',4'-dihydroxylbenzyl)-chroman-4-one, (3R)-5,7-dihydroxyl-6-methyl-3-(4'-hydroxylbenzyl)-chroman-4-one.

Flavonoids

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Frontiers in plant science

Polysaccharide

1. Genomics
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

kaempferol

1. Analytical methods : advancing methods and applications
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

(3R)-5,7-dihydroxyl-3-(2',4'-dihydroxylbenzyl)-chroman-4-one

1. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences

(3R)-5,7-dihydroxyl-6-methyl-3-(4'-hydroxylbenzyl)-chroman-4-one

1. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences

(3R)-5,7-dihydroxyl-6-methyl-8-methoxyl-3-(4'-hydroxylbenzyl)-chroman-4-one

1. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences

3-beta-D-Galactosyl-sn-glycerol

1. PeerJ

ABA

1. Genomics

CHLOROPHYLL

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

CTK

1. Genomics

Activities

Polygonatum odoratum has 6 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Antitumor, Hepatoprotective, Hypoglycemic.

Antidiabetic

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Antioxidant

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Antitumor

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Hepatoprotective

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Hypoglycemic

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Neuroprotective

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Medicinal Uses

Polygonatum odoratum has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include abiotic stresses, antidiabetic, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, influenza A virus.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations