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Asparagaceae FAMILY

Polygonatum pubescens

Polygonatum pubescens

Edibility
2/5
Medicinal
2/5

Safety & Hazards

The berries contain an anthraquinone that causes vomiting and diarrhoea[1].

Cultivation Details

HabitPerennial
Growth—

Polygonatum pubescens is a very cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate temperatures down to around -30°c when fully dormant[2]. Prefers a fertile humus rich moisture-retentive well-drained soil in cool shade or semi-shade[2]. Plants are intolerant of heat and drought but they tolerate most other conditions[2]. 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[2]. This species is closely related to Polygonatum odoratum[2]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[3]. The young shoots of most members of this genus are very attractive to slugs[PFAF]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus[2].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in early autumn in a shady part of a cold greenhouse[2]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible. Germination can be slow, they may not come true to type[2] 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+pubescens>

Pollinators

Bees, Self

References

  1. [1]Flora of N. America — http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ ↩︎An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.
  2. [2]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.
  3. [3]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.
  4. [4]Gray's Manual of Botany.Eighth Edition — Fernald. M. L. · American Book Co.; New York · 1950 · ISBN 0442222505 ↩︎A bit dated but a good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
  5. [5]Native Harvests. — Kavasch. B. · Vintage Books · 1979 · ISBN 0-394-72811-4 ↩︎Another guide to the wild foods of America.
  6. [6]Native American Ethnobotany — Moerman. D. · Timber Press. Oregon. · 1998 · ISBN 0-88192-453-9 ↩︎Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.
  7. [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎