3. Polygonatum Miller, Gard. Dict. Abr., ed. 4: 1109 (1754).
By: Chhongdiki Sherpa, Devendra M. Bajracharya & Shandesh Bhattarai
Taxon Description
Perennial rhizomatous herbs, terrestrial, rarely epiphytic or lithophytic. Rhizomes branched, tuberous, terete or moniliform, with fine fibrous or thick fleshy adventitious roots, with circular stalk marks on each internode. Stem simple, erect or scandent, scale leaves present, persistent or caducous. Leaves simple, cauline, sessile or subsessile, alternate, opposite or whorled, entire, linear, lanceolate, elliptic or ovate. Inflorescences axillary raceme; bracteate or ebracteate, if present membranous and caducous. Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic and hypogynous, usually drooping, rarely erect; peduncle arising from leaf axils; pedicel slender. Perianth with six tepals, gamotepalous, forming a tube. Stamens 6, haplostemonous and episepalous, borne on the same radius as the lobes, filaments filiform or flattened, adnate to the perianth tube; anthers basifixed or dorsifixed, introrse, two clefts at base. Gynoecium tricarpellary; ovary superior, syncarpous, usually 3-locular, each locule with 2 or more ovules. Style straight, slender, filiform, stigma 3-lobed. Fruit berries, 3–10 or more seeded. Seeds sub-globose to globose.
Taxon Statistics
Worldwide 79 species, in temperate zone of the Northern hemisphere. Twelve species in Nepal.
Key to Species
1a Epiphytic …………….………………………………….……………………….……………………….……………………….……………………….………………………….……….. 2
bTerrestrial or lithophytes ……………….………………………….……………………….……………………….……………………..……………………………………………… 5
2a Leaves opposite ………………………………………………………….……………………….……………………….……………………….…………………….……..…………… 3
b Leaves alternate or in whorls ..………………….……………………….……………………….……………………………………………………………………..…….……….. 4
3a Leaf texture glossy above and glaucous beneath. Perianth yellow …………………….……………………….…………………………… 2. P. cathcartii
b Leaf texture shiny leathery. Perianth white to pale yellow with purple vertical linings ……………………………………….. 8. P. oppositifolium
4a Leaf base rounded. Perianth cylindric, pale yellow or greenish ……..…………………………….……………………….……………… 1. P. brevistylum
b Leaf base cuneate. Perianth urceolate, white with pink to purple spot ……………………….……………………….………………..… 9. P. punctatum
5a Stem arching or scandent. Leaf apex cirrose …………………………………………….……………………….……………………….………………………………… 6
b Stem erect. Leaf apex straight ………….……………………………………….……………………….……………………….……………………………..…………..………… 7
6a Stem spotted, growing up to 100 cm. Leaves in whorl of 3–6. Berries orange to red ……………………………………………. 3. P. cirrhifolium
b Stem plain, growing up to 150 cm. Leaves in whorl of 4–8. Berries dark blue to black ………………………………..…………… 10. P. sibiricum
7a Plant dwarf, growing up to 20 cm.……..…..…………….…………………….……………………….……………………….………………….………….………………….. 8
b Plant tall, more than 20 cm …………….….…….……………………….……………………….……………………….……………………………………………..……………… 9
8a Leaves linear to oblanceolate, margin rolled downward. Perianth 10–15 mm …………………………………………………. 5. P. graminifolium
b Leaves lanceolate to oblong, margin unrolled. Perianth 15–25 mm …..……………….……………………….………………………….…… 7. P. hookeri
9a Leaves linear to lanceolate, rhizomes tuberous, terete or sub-moniliform …………………….……………………….…………………………..……….. 10
b Leaves oblong to elliptic, rhizomes moniliform ………………………………….……………………….……………………….………………… 11. P. singalilense
10a Leaves in whorl, texture glabrous ……………………………………….……………………….……………………….……………………………….…………………… 11
b Leaves opposite, texture papery ……………………………………….…………………………….……………………….……………………….…..……… 6. P. griffithii
11a Stem dark purple. Leaf margin slightly rolled downwards with distinct single midvein ….………….……………………..… 4. P. curvistylum
b Stem green. Leaf margin unrolled with distinct parallel veins .…….………………….……………………….………………………….. 12. P. verticillatum
1. Polygonatum brevistylum Baker, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 14: 556 (1875).
Epiphytic herbs, 20–45 cm. Rhizomes 10–15 mm thick, tuberous, sometimes moniliform, with long and thick adventitious roots. Stems pale green to purple, erect, sometimes arching; persistent membranous scale leaves present. Leaves alternate; petiolate, petiole ca. 3 mm; leaf blade elliptic to lanceolate, 5–10 X 1.5–4 cm, base rounded, apex broadly acuminate, margin entire, glossy above, glaucous beneath. Peduncle 5–10 mm, 2-3 flowers per peduncle; bracts caducous, borne at the middle region of the pedicel. Flowers pale yellow or greenish, cylindric, slightly constricted at middle; perianth 8–10 mm, perianth lobes ovate, ca. 2 mm; pedicel 10–15 mm, pendulous. Filaments 2–4 mm; anthers 3–4 mm. Ovary narrowly ovoid, ca. 5 mm; style 4–5 mm. Fruit bright red, globose to broadly ellipsoid, 7–8 mm in diam. Seeds 10–13, sub-globose.
Distribution: Nepal and E Himalaya.
Altitudinal range: 2100–2900 m.
Ecology: Mossy tree trunks.
Flowering: May–June. Fruiting: July–August.
2. Polygonatum cathcartii Baker, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 14: 559 (1875).
Epiphytic herbs, 30–100 cm. Rhizomes 10–15 mm thick, irregularly moniliform, with long thick and fleshy adventitious roots. Stems green or with purple spots all over, erect, sometimes arching; persistent membranous scale leaves present. Leaves opposite, rarely decussate opposite; petiolate, petiole ca. 2 mm; leaf blade lanceolate to oblong lanceolate, 3.5–10 X 1.5–3 cm, base rounded, apex acuminate, margin entire, glossy above, glaucous beneath. Peduncle 3–7 cm, 1-3 flowers per peduncle; bracts caducous, borne at middle region of pedicel. Flowers yellow, cylindric or campanulate; perianth 10–15 mm, perianth lobes round, 2–3 mm; pedicel ca.15 mm, pendulous. Filaments 2–3 mm; anthers 3–4 mm. Ovary ovoid, 5–7 mm; style 4 mm. Fruit orange to red, globose, 5–7 mm in diam. Seeds 8–10, globose.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, Tibetan Plateau, Assam-Burma and E Asia.
Altitudinal range: 2600–4000 m.
Ecology: Mossy rocks and trees.
Flowering: June–July. Fruiting: August–September.
3. Polygonatum cirrhifolium (Wall.) Royle, Ill. Bot. Himal. Mts. 380 (1839).
Convallaria cirrhifolia Wall., Asiat. Res. 13: 382 (1820).
Terrestrial or lithophytic herbs, up to 100 cm. Rhizomes 10–20 mm thick, moniliform or tuberous, terete, with thin fibrous adventitious roots. Stems greenish or purplish, spotted, erect or arching, sometimes scandent; scale leaves caducous. Leaves arranged in whorls of 3–6, sessile, linear to lanceolate, 4–12 cm X 2–10 mm, base acute, apex cirrhose, margin entire or crisped often, glabrous. Peduncle 5–10 mm, 2-3 flowers per peduncle, usually in pair; bracts caducous, borne at middle region of pedicel. Flowers greenish white or light purple, cylindric, slightly constricted at the middle; perianth 7–11 mm, perianth lobes ovate, ca. 3 mm; pedicel 3–8 mm, pendulous. Filaments 3.5–5 mm; anthers 2–2.5 mm. Ovary globose, 3 mm; style ca. 2 mm. Fruit orange to dark purple, globose, 7–9 mm in diam. Seeds 4–9, globose.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, E Himalaya, Tibetan Plateau, Assam-Burma and E Asia.
Altitudinal range: 1200–4600 m.
Ecology: Forest margins, grassy slopes, dry shrubby slopes.
Flowering: May–July.
Fruiting: August–October.
Rhizomes are used as tonic to cure skin diseases, wounds, ulcers, fever, cough, and bronchitis. Tender shoots are consumed as vegetable.
4. Polygonatum curvistylum Hua, J. Bot. 6: 424 (1892).
Terrestrial herbs, 15–60 cm. Rhizomes 5–10 mm thick, sub moniliform or terete, with fleshy adventitious root. Stems purple, erect; persistent membranous scale leaves present. Leaves arranged in whorls of 3–6, sessile; leaf blade linear to lanceolate, 3–8 cm X 2–6 mm, base acute, apex acuminate and curved downwards, margin entire and rolled downwards, glabrous. Peduncle 5–15 mm, 1-2 flowers per peduncle; bracts caducous, borne at middle region of pedicel. Flowers pink to purple, cylindric, funnelform; perianth ca.10 mm, perianth lobes ovate, 3–4 mm; pedicel 4–7 mm, pendulous. Filaments 0.5–1 mm; anthers ca.1 mm. Ovary globose, ca. 2mm; style ca. 2 mm. Fruit red, globose, 5–8 mm in diam. Seeds 3–7, globose.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya and E Asia.
Altitudinal range: 2600–4200 m.
Ecology: Alpine meadows, among shrubs, forest, grasslands and steep dry slopes.
Flowering: May–July. Fruiting: August–October.
5. Polygonatum graminifolium Hook., Hooker’s Icon. Pl. 9: t.833 (1851).
Terrestrial dwarf herbs, up to 20 cm. Rhizomes 5–10 mm thick, tuberous, with fine threadlike fibrous adventitious roots. Stems green, erect; persistent membranous scale leaves present. Leaves opposite or in whorls of 3–5, sessile; leaf blade linear lanceolate to oblanceolate, 3–5 cm X 2–6 mm, base acute, apex rounded or broadly acuminate, margin entire and rolled downwards, glabrous. Peduncle 8–18 mm, 1-2 flowers per peduncle; bracts absent. Flowers violet or purplish pink, cylindric, funnelform; perianth 10–15 mm, perianth lobes ovate, 5–6 mm; pedicel ca. 5 mm, erect or pendulous. Filaments ca. 1 mm; anthers 2–3 mm. Ovary globose, 2–3mm; style ca. 3 mm. Fruit pink to purple, globose, 5–7 mm in diam. Seeds 2–3, globose.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya and E Asia.
Altitudinal range: 3300–4000 m.
Ecology: Alpine meadows, open grass slopes.
Flowering: May–June. Fruiting: July–August.
The herbarium specimen of this species is not available in KATH and TUCH, so the study is completely based on international herbaria and literatures.
Tender shoots are consumed as vegetable and rhizomes are used as tonic for general debility. The rhizomes are also used to cure wounds, inflammations and stomach disorders.
6. Polygonatum griffithii Baker, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 14: 558 (1875).
Terrestrial herbs, up to 100 cm. Rhizomes 1–1.5 cm thick, tuberous, moderately thick fibrous adventitious roots. Stems green, erect; persistent membranous scale leaves present. Leaves opposite, sessile; leaf blade linear-lanceolate, 8–13 cm X ca.10 mm, base acute, apex acute to acuminate, margin entire, papery, sub-glaucous beneath. Peduncle 1.5–2.5 cm, 2 flowers per peduncle; bracts absent. Flowers creamy-white, cylindric, slightly constricted over ovary; perianth 7–10 mm, perianth lobes deltoid, ca. 2.5 mm; pedicel 1–1.5 mm, pendulous. Filaments 0.5–1 mm; anthers 2–3 mm. Ovary globose, ca. 3 mm; style 3 mm. Fruit reddish to purplish black, sub-globose, 6–10 mm in diam. Seeds 2–6, sub-globose.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya and Tibetan Plateau.
Altitudinal range: 1700–2800 m.
Ecology: Moist and shady places.
Flowering: May–July. Fruiting: August–September.
7. Polygonatum hookeri Baker, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 14: 558 (1875).
Polygonatum pumilum Hua.
Terrestrial dwarf herbs, up to 10 cm. Rhizomes 3–8 mm thick, slender, terete, with few long fleshy adventitious roots. Stems green to purple, erect; persistent membranous scale leaves present. Leaves crowded, basal alternate, apical sub-opposite or in whorls, sessile; leaf blade lanceolate to oblong, sessile, 2–4 cm X 3–8 mm, base acute, apex rounded or broadly acuminate, margin entire, glabrous. Flower solitary; peduncle 5–10 mm; bracts caducous, borne at the middle region of the pedicel. Flowers purple or lavender, cylindric, funnelform; perianth 15–25 mm, perianth lobes ovate, ca.7 mm; pedicel ca. 0.5 cm, erect. Filaments 0.5–1 mm; anthers 1.5–2 mm. Ovary globose, 2–3 mm; style 1.5–2 mm. Fruit pink to purple, globose, 5–7 mm in diam. Seeds 4–7, globose.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, E Himalaya, Tibetan Plateau and E Asia.
Altitudinal range: 2900–5000 m.
Ecology: Forests, grassy slopes, alluvial soil.
Flowering: May–July Fruiting: August–October.
8. Polygonatum oppositifolium (Wall.) Royle, Ill. Bot. Himal. Mts. 380 (1839).
Convallaria oppositifolia Wall., Asiat. Res. 13: 380 (1820).
Epiphytic herbs, 35–70 cm. Rhizomes 10–15 mm thick, tuberous-terete, with fine threadlike adventitious roots. Stems green, arching; persistent membranous scale leaves present. Leaves opposite; petiolate, petiole ca. 5 mm; leaf blade ovate to lanceolate, 6–12 X 2–4.5 cm, base rounded, apex acuminate, margin entire, shiny leathery. Peduncle 5–10 mm, 4-6 flowers per peduncle; bracts caducous, borne at the middle region of the pedicel. Flowers white to pale yellow with purple vertical linings, cylindric, slightly constricted at the neck; perianth 9–16 mm, perianth lobes deltoid, ca. 2.5 mm; pedicel 5–10 mm, pendulous. Filaments 3–4 mm; anthers 3–4 mm. Ovary ovoid, 3.5–5 mm; style 6–10 mm. Fruit red to orange, ovoid or globose, 5–10 mm in diam. Seeds 7–10, globose.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, Tibetan Plateau and Assam-Burma.
Altitudinal range: 1600–2400 m.
Ecology: On mossy tree trunks and forest rocks.
Flowering: April–May. Fruiting: June–August.
9. Polygonatum punctatum Royle ex Kunth, Ill. Bot. Himal. Mts. 380 (1839).
Convallaria punctata Wall.
Epiphytic herbs, 20–50 cm. Rhizomes 10–15 mm thick, moniliform with dense fleshy adventitious roots. Stems purple, spotted, arching, sometimes erect; persistent membranous scale leaves present. Leaves alternate, sub-opposite or sometimes in whorls of 3; petiolate, petiole 5-10 mm; leaf blade ovate to lanceolate, 6–10 X 1.5–2.5 cm, base cuneate, apex acuminate, slightly falcate, margin entire, shiny leathery. Peduncle 5–8 mm, 2 flowers per peduncle; bracts caducous, borne at the middle region of the pedicel. Flowers white with pink to purple spots, urn-shaped; perianth 7–10 mm, perianth lobes ovate, 1.5–2.5 mm; pedicel 0.3–0.5 cm, erect or pendulous. Filaments 0.5–1.5 mm; anthers 1.5–2 mm. Ovary ovoid, 2–2.5 mm; style 1.5–2.5 mm. Fruit red to black, globose, 5–7 mm in diam. Seeds 6–10, globose.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, Tibetan Plateau, Assam-Burma, E Asia and SE Asia.
Altitudinal range: 1800–3000 m.
Ecology: On tree trunks and forest rocks.
Flowering: March–May. Fruiting: June–December.
10. Polygonatum sibiricum Rodoute, Liliac. 6: t. 315 (1811).
Convallaria sibiricum (Redoute) Ker.; Polygonatum chinense Kunth
Terrestrial or lithophytic herbs, 50–150 cm. Rhizomes 10–20 mm thick, tuberous, sub-terete, with thin threadlike adventitious roots. Stems green, arching or sub-scandent; scale leaves caducous. Leaves arranged in whorls of 4–8, sessile; leaf blade linear to lanceolate, 8–15 cm X 5–15 mm, base acute, apex strictly cirrhose, margin entire, glabrous. Peduncle 1–2.5 cm, 2-4 flowers per peduncle; bracts caducous, borne at the basal region of the pedicel. Flowers pale yellow or creamy-white, cylindric, slightly constricted at the middle; perianth 10–15 mm, perianth lobes ovate, ca. 4 mm; pedicel 5–8 mm, pendulous. Filaments 0.5–1 mm; anthers 1.5–2 mm. Ovary narrowly ovoid, ca. 3 mm; style 5–7 mm. Fruit black or dark blue, globose, 5–10 mm in diam. Seeds 4–7, globose.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, Tibetan Plateau, E Asia and N Asia.
Elevation: 1700–4400 m.
Ecology: Forests, thickets, shady and moist slopes, sloppy riverbanks.
Flowering: May–June. Fruiting: July–August.
Young shoots consumed as vegetable and dried rhizomes consumed as tea. Extracts used in making different medicines to reduce blood glucose level, enhance immunity system and anti-aging.
11. Polygonatum singalilense H.Hara, J. Jap. Bot. 40: 102 (1965).
Terrestrial herbs, 35–80 cm. Rhizomes 5–15 mm thick, moniliform, with dense threadlike adventitious roots. Stems green to purple, erect; scale leaves caducous. Leaves opposite or in whorls of 3, sessile; leaf blade oblong to elliptic, 5–10 X 1.5–3.5 cm, base acute, apex acuminate, margin entire, glossy. Peduncle 1.5–3 cm, 2 flowers per peduncle; bracts absent. Flowers lemon yellow or light green, cylindric, slightly constricted at the middle; perianth 7–8 mm, perianth lobes ovate, ca. 3 mm; pedicel ca. 5 mm, pendulous. Filaments 0.5–1 mm; anthers 2–2.5 mm. Ovary narrowly ovoid, 2–3 mm; style 2–3.5 mm. Fruit bright red, globose, 8–10 mm in diam. Seeds 5–8, globose.
Distribution: Nepal and E Himalaya.
Altitudinal range: 2000–4400 m.
Ecology: Forests, among shrubs, open meadows, moist and shady places and rock crevices.
Flowering: June–July. Fruiting: August–September.
Young tender shoots and leaves are consumed as vegetable and dried rhizomes used as tonic.
12. Polygonatum verticillatum (L.) All., Fl. Pedem. 1: 131 (1785).
Convallaria verticillata L., Sp. Pl.: 315 (1753).
Terrestrial or lithophytic herbs, ca. 150 cm. Rhizomes 10–20 mm thick, tuberous, terete, rarely moniliform, with fleshy adventitious roots. Stems green, erect; scale leaves caducous. Leaves in whorls of 3-8, sessile; leaf blade linear to lanceolate, 5–10 cm X 5–20 mm, base acute, apex acute to acuminate, margin entire, glabrous. Peduncle 1–2 cm, 2–4 flowers per peduncle; bracts caducous, borne at the middle region of the pedicel. Flowers pale yellow or greenish, campanulate; perianth up to 12 mm, perianth lobes ovate, ca. 3 mm; pedicel 5–8 mm, pendulous. Filaments 0.5–1.5 mm; anthers 1.5–2 mm. Ovary ovoid or globose, ca. 3 mm; style ca. 2 mm. Fruit orange, red or purplish black, globose, 6–10 mm in diam. Seeds 4–10, globose.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, E Himalaya, Tibetan Plateau, Assam-Burma, E Asia, SW Asia and Europe.
Altitudinal range: 2200–4700 m.
Ecology: Moist forest, grassy slopes, rocky slopes.
Flowering: May–June. Fruiting: July–September.
It is one of the ingredients in ‘Chyavanprash’. Rhizomes, shoot, young leaves are consumed as vegetable.