Solomon's seal (Polygynum multiflorum)
Introduction
The photograph on this page of Solomon's seal (Polygynum multiflorum) by Natasha Ceridwen de Chroustchoff as part of the Geograph project.
The Geograph project started in 2005 with the aim of publishing, organising and preserving representative images for every square kilometre of Great Britain, Ireland and the Isle of Man.
There are currently over 7.5m images from over 14,400 individuals and you can help contribute to the project by visiting https://www.geograph.org.uk
Solomon's seal (Polygynum multiflorum)
Image: © Natasha Ceridwen de Chroustchoff Taken: 2 Aug 2008
An unusual profusion of this interesting member of the lily family grows along the banks of the road here. At this stage in the year the unripe berries dangle like baubles but in spring its pale, drop-like flowers earned it the name sow's tits in southern England, also Jacob's Ladder. It was a highly-regarded medicinal plant extolled by Dioscorides, Gerard and Culpeper for its healing properties, hence its name Solomon's seal which had magical associations; it is also used in contemporary Chinese medicine. See http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Polygonatum+multiflorum It is a native woodland species but often also a naturalised garden escape. Supposed to be poisonous but the young shoots are said to be edible!
Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0
Image Location
Latitude
51.919627
Longitude
-4.59106