Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District
Solomon's Seal
Polygonatum commutatum (Polygonatum canaliculatum) [C-value 3]
Lily family (Liliaceae)
Blooms May - June
The native Solomon's Seal is common in our woodlands. Its name comes from the seal-like leaf scars. It prefers light shade to partial sun and slightly moist fertile loamy soil. Habitats include slightly moist deciduous woodlands, lower wooded slopes, edges of shady seeps, young flatwoods and woodland borders. This spring blooming perennial is about 2-3½' tall and unbranched with a stem leaning or drooping to one side. The alternate leaves are up to 6" long and 3½" across. From the axils of the middle and upper leaves, there are drooping clusters of 2-5 flowers hanging below the leaves. The flowers are about ½-¾" in length with a narrow tubular corolla that is whitish green or pale yellowish green.
Solomon's Seal at Lyon Forest Preserve May 31, 2013
Solomon's Seal at Millbrook South Forest Preserve April 23, 2014 (early spring shoot)
Solomon's Seal at Richard Young Forest Preserve May 28, 2013
Solomon's Seal at Lyon Forest Preserve May 7, 2015
Solomon's Seal at Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve May 5, 2015
Solomon's Seal immature berries at Lyon Forest Preserve September 19, 2012
Solomon's Seal mature berries at Lyon Forest Preserve October 31, 2014
Native Americans ate young Solomon's Seal shoots like asparagus and they mashed the roots for use as a poultice to treat bruises and to heal or “seal” a wound or cut. Reminder: see our Do Not Disturb Notice
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