Polygonatum odoratum, also known as Angular Solomon's Seal or Scented Solomon's Seal, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to Europe, the Caucasus, Siberia, the Russian Far East, China, Mongolia, Korea, and Korea. In Britain, it is one of three native species of the genus, the others being P. multiflorum and P. verticillatum. There are four recognized varieties of P. odoratum: P. odoratum var. maximowiczii (Japan and Russian Far East), P. odoratum var. odoratum (widespread from Portugal and Great Britian to Japan and Kamchatka), P. odoratum var pluriflorum (Japan and Korea), and P. odoratum var. thunbergii (Japan and Korea).
Polygonatum odoratum is a colonizing herbaceous perennial growing to 85cm tall by 30cm wide, with alternate, simple leaves on green, arching stems. The scented, tubular flowers are white and bloom in Spring, hanging from the underside of the stems. P. odoratum, like its relative Lily of the Valley, is cultivated in moist, shaded locations. It spreads by underground stolons.
Polygonatum odoratum is used in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine, where it is called yùzhú and dunggulle respectively. In Korea, the root of the plant is used to make tea. This plant species is described in the work Plantas Medicinales (medicinal plants) of Pius Font i Quer. According to it, its rhizome contains asparagine, mucilage, a cardio-tonic glycoside, saponin, and quinine gluconate. It has been used for intestinal problems and pain, rheumatism, gout, water retention, diabetes, digestive issues, and as a diuretic.
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