Wildflowers of the United States

Smooth Solomon's Seal - Polygonatum biflorum

Native Status: Native

Polygonatum biflorum - Smooth Solomon's Seal. Smooth Solomon's seal (P. biflorum) is 1 to 4 feet tall, arching, and is found in rich moist forests thoughout the eastern two-thirds of the United States and Canada. Similar species Hairy Solomon's seal (P. pubescens), has hairy veins on the underside of the leaf.

The name Solomon's Seal references the circular scars on the rhizome left by each year's flower stalk. I have not personally observed this, nor do I know what the seal of King Solomon looked like.

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Distribution of Polygonatum biflorum in the United States and Canada:

Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
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Site: The Pocket at Pigeon Mountain, Walker County, GA Date: 2008-May-13	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D40 1/125f/5.6 ISO400 Nikon Nikkor AF-S 55-200mm 4-5.6G ED 145mm (217 equiv) Flash: Yes
Smooth Solomons Seals leaves are in the upper two-thirds or so of the arching stem. The stem and leaves are smooth. Close cousin Hairy Solomon Seal has hairs on the veins on the underside of the leaves. The flowers of both Hairy and Smooth Solomons Seal are usually a pair of blossoms on pedicels hanging from the leaf axils, but may be a single blossom or several. This specimen has at least two clusters of three blossoms. They are initially green, maturing to white.

Site: The Pocket at Pigeon Mountain, Walker County, GA Date: 2009-April-25	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D60 1/100f/11 ISO200 Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro 90mm (135 equiv)
This specimen of Polygonatum biflorum has narrower leaves than most, but still shows the characteristic parallel veins, and the rows of blossoms on petioles hanging from the leaf axils.
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Site: The Pocket at Pigeon Mountain, Walker County, GA Date: 2008-May-13	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D40 1/125f/5.6 ISO200 Nikon Nikkor AF-S 55-200mm 4-5.6G ED 185mm (277 equiv) Flash: Yes
Stamens of Solomon's Seal are not something you normally see, since do not extend much beyond the corolla, and the blossoms dangle underneath the leafy plant. No plants were harmed during this photography session.
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Site: The Pocket at Pigeon Mountain, Walker County, GA Date: 2008-April-21	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D40 1/125f/5.6 ISO220 Nikon Nikkor AF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G II ED 55mm (82 equiv) Flash: Yes
The differences between False Solomon's Seal and true Solomon's Seal can be seen in this photograph.
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Site: Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia Date: 2014-September-03	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Fruit of Solomon's Seal
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Polygonatum biflorum initially published on USWildflowers.com 2008-12-31; Updated 2015-06-24

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
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Code Update 20230302