Solomon's-seal

Solomon's-Seal, Polygonatum biflorum, is a member of the lily family found naturally in most counties of Illinois and featured in the Botanic Gardens Native Plant Garden, and approved for Illinois highway landscaping by the Federal Highway Administration. Solomon's-Seal is distinguishable from False solomon's seal by its flowers, little pale-colored tubes that appear for a few weeks in spring, then turn into pearl-like seed pods, dangling underneath the upper part of the stem (bottom).

Solomon's-seal, a natural woodland inhabitant, likes shade and moisture. In its common woodland incarnations, it will form graceful arches about 10"-18" in length. Some cultivars are variegated and some grow much larger; I put in a couple specimens that apparently liked their wet, shady location, and they wood be over 4' tall if stood straight up.