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Asparagaceae FAMILY

Polygonatum lasianthum

Polygonatum lasianthum

Edibility
2/5
Medicinal
0/5

Safety & Hazards

Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, some members of this genus have poisonous fruits and seeds.

Cultivation Details

HabitPerennial
Growth—

Prefers a fertile humus rich moisture-retentive well-drained soil in cool shade or semi-shade[1]. Plants are intolerant of heat and drought but they tolerate most other conditions[1]. Especially in areas where winters are cold, the shallow rhizomes of this species will benefit from the protection given by a deep mulch of leafmould[1]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[2]. The young shoots of most members of this genus are very attractive to slugs[PFAF]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus[1].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in early autumn in a shady part of a cold greenhouse[1]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible. Germination can be slow, they may not come true to type[1] and it takes a few years for them to reach a good size. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a shady position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in early spring or early autumn. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Polygonatum+lasianthum>

Pollinators

Bees, Self

References

  1. [1]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
  2. [2]Perennial Garden Plants — Thomas. G. S. · J. M. Dent & Sons, London. · 1990 · ISBN 0 460 86048 8 ↩︎A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.
  3. [3]Flora of Japan. (English translation) — Ohwi. G. · Smithsonian Institution · 1965 · ISBN - ↩︎The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.
  4. [4]Tanaka's Cyclopedia of Edible Plants of the World. — Tanaka. T. & Nakao S. · Keigaku Publishing; Tokyo · 1976 · ISBN - ↩︎The most comprehensive list of edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.
  5. [5]Plants for Human Consumption. — Kunkel. G. · Koeltz Scientific Books · 1984 · ISBN 3874292169 ↩︎An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
  6. [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎