✵The article records the herb Solomonseal Rhizome—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, and botanical sources, including three primary species: (1) Polygonatum sibiricum Red., (2) Polygonatum kingianum Coll. et Hemsl., and (3) Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua; as well as two additional acceptable species: (4) Polygonatum macropodium Turcz. and (5) Polygonatum cirrhifolium (Wall.) Royle. It provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these five species; the characteristics of the herb Solomonseal Rhizome; its pharmacological actions; medicinal efficacy; and administration guidelines.
Rhizoma Polygonati (Solomonseal Rhizome)
Pinyin Name: Huánɡ Jīnɡ
English Name: Solomonseal Rhizome; Siberian Solomonseal Rhizome
Latin Name:Rhizoma Polygonati Properties and Flavor: Neutral in nature; sweet in taste.
Brief Introduction:Rhizoma Polygonati is the steamed and dried rhizome of Polygonatum sibiricum Red., Polygonatum kingianum Coll. et Hemsl., or Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua. It is used: (1) to tonify Spleen Qi for treating general debility and poor appetite; and (2) to nourish Lung Yin for treating chronic dry cough in consumptive disorders (e.g., pulmonary tuberculosis). It is commonly known as Rhizoma Polygonati, Solomonseal Rhizome, or Huánɡ Jīnɡ.
Botanical Source: Traditional herbal works define Solomonseal Rhizome (Huánɡ Jīnɡ) as the dried rhizome of species within the genus Polygonatum (family Asparagaceae, formerly Liliaceae), primarily: (1) Polygonatum sibiricum Red., (2) Polygonatum kingianum Coll. et Hemsl., and (3) Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua. Other authoritative sources also recognize two additional species as acceptable substitutes: (4) Polygonatum macropodium< Turcz. and (5) Polygonatum cirrhifolium (Wall.) Royle. These five species belong to the genus Polygonatum and are currently classified under the Asparagaceae family (asparagus family). The three principal species—and briefly the two supplementary ones—are described below.
(1) Polygonatum sibiricum Red.
Botanical Description:Polygonatum sibiricum Red. is a perennial herb of the Asparagaceae family and genus Polygonatum. Synonyms include Polygonatum sibiricum Delar. ex Redouté and Polygonatum chinense Kunth. Common names include Siberian Solomonseal, Huánɡ Jīnɡ, Bǐ Guǎn Cài, Wū Yā Qī ("Crow Seven"), Huánɡ Jī Cài, and Lǎo Hǔ Jiānɡ ("Tiger-shaped Ginger"). Plants grow 50–90 cm tall, occasionally exceeding 1 m. Rhizomes are decumbent and cylindrical, with swollen, knobby nodes. Leaves are verticillate and sessile, 4–6 per whorl; leaf blades are linear-lanceolate, 8–15 cm long and 4–16 mm wide; apex acuminate and often involute (rolled inward).
Flowers are axillary and pendulous, 2–4 per cluster, forming umbelliform inflorescences; peduncles are 1–2 cm long; pedicels are 4–10 mm long; bracteoles are membranous, subulate or linear-lanceolate, single-veined. The perianth is tubular, white to pale yellow, 9–13 mm long, with six lanceolate lobes (~4 mm long). Stamens are inserted above the midpoint of the perianth tube; filaments are short (0.5–1 mm). Ovary is ~3 mm long; style is 5–7 mm long.
Berries are globose, 7–10 mm in diameter, and turn dark purple-black (atropurpureus) at maturity. Flowering occurs from May to June; fruiting from July to September.
Ecological Environment: Polygonatum sibiricum grows in semi-shaded habitats—on mountain slopes, in montane forests, and among shrubs.
Growth Characteristics: Polygonatum sibiricum prefers a warm, humid climate and tolerates cold well. It is highly adaptable. Cultivation is suitable on flat land or high-altitude terrain. Optimal soils are deep, fertile, loose, moist, and well-drained. Barren, arid, or poorly drained soils are unsuitable.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is tuberculiform (nodular). One end is thick and disc-shaped (disk-like), the other end is attenuated and terete (cylindrical); the whole shape is slightly reminiscent of a chicken head. It measures 2.5–11 cm in length; the diameter of the thick end is 1–2 cm, and it often bears short branches. Distinct stem scars are present on the surface—circular (rounded) and emarginate (slightly concave)—2–3 mm in diameter, with barely visible annular nodes surrounding them. The thin end is 2.5–4 cm long and 5–10 mm in diameter; nodes are distinct, internodal distance is 5–15 mm, and numerous fibrous roots or fibrous root scars are present, approximately 1 mm in diameter. The surface is yellowish-brown; some specimens are translucent and wrinkled. Vertical veins occur on the cylindrical portion. The texture is hard and crisp, or slightly pliable and tough, rendering it easy to fracture. The fracture surface is yellowish-white and granular, with numerous yellowish-brown vascular bundle spots. The herb has a slight odor and tastes slightly sweet.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) Antimicrobial effect: inhibitory activity against acid-fast bacteria in vitro; (2) Antifungal effect: inhibitory activity against various fungi, such as Trichophyton violaceum and Epidermophyton rubrum; (3) Antihypertensive effect; (4) Hypoglycemic activity, etc.
Medicinal Efficacy: Tonifying Qi and nourishing Yin (invigorating vital energy and nourishing Yin); strengthening the spleen and stomach and replenishing Qi; invigorating the spleen; nourishing Yin and moistening the lungs; moistening the heart and lungs; tonifying the kidneys; nourishing the kidneys and replenishing Essence; strengthening muscles and bones. It is indicated for: spleen-Qi and stomach-Qi deficiency; spleen deficiency and asthenia (spleen insufficiency and lack of strength); fatigue and asthenia (tiredness and lack of strength); stomach-Yin deficiency; dry mouth and poor appetite; asthenia with alternating fever and chills; lung deficiency with irritating dry cough; Yin deficiency with exhausting cough; exhausting cough with hemoptysis (cough due to consumption and hemoptysis); pulmonary tuberculosis with hemoptysis; Essence and blood deficiency; post-illness physical debility and poor appetite; soreness and weakness of the waist and knees due to kidney deficiency; impotence and seminal emission; flaccidity and weakness of muscles and bones; premature graying of hair; tinnitus and blurred vision (ringing in the ears and diminished eyesight); internal heat with wasting thirst (consumptive thirst); rheumatic arthralgia; physical debility and emaciation; tinea corporis and other dermatophytoses, etc.
Administration of Rhizoma Polygonati (Huánɡ Jīnɡ):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Rhizoma Polygonati (Huánɡ Jīnɡ)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 9–15 grams; (2) Internally: water decoction, 3–5 qian (≈9–15 grams); fresh herb, 1–2 liang (≈30–60 grams); also prepared as ointment, pills, or powder. External use: wash with decoction; (3) Internally: water decoction, 10–15 grams; fresh herb, 30–60 grams; also prepared as pills, powder, or ointment. External use: apply an appropriate amount—wash with decoction; apply ointment topically; or macerate in wine and apply topically.
Contraindications, Precautions, and Adverse Reactions: Rhizoma Polygonati should not be used concurrently with plum fruit, plum flowers, plum leaves, or plum seeds.
(2) Polygonatum kingianum Coll. et Hemsl.
Botanical Description:Polygonatum kingianum Coll. et Hemsl. is a perennial herb of the Liliaceae family (lily family) and the genus Polygonatum. It is also known as Polygonatum agglutinatum Hua. and commonly referred to as Diān Huáng Jīnɡ. The plant grows 1–3 m tall; the upper portion is often twining. Rhizomes are subcylindrical (nearly cylindrical) or nearly bead-like, with irregular rhomboid nodes that are sometimes hypertrophied, 1–3 cm in diameter. Stems grow 1–3 m tall, with a scrambling (twining) apex. Leaves are verticillate, with 4–8 (or 3–10) leaves per whorl; leaf blades are linear to linear-lanceolate or lanceolate, 6–20 cm long (up to 25 cm), and 3–30 mm wide; the apex is acuminate and often recurved; the base is attenuate; sessile.
Flowers are axillary and pendulous, usually 2–4 forming short cymes; peduncles are pendulous, 1–2 cm long; pedicels are 0.5–1.5 cm long; bracts are membranous, minute, and typically located at the lower part of the pedicel; perianth is large, often pinkish, terete (tubular), 18–25 mm long, with lobes 3–5 mm long; filaments are 3–5 mm long, filiform (threadlike) or flattened on both sides; anthers are 4–6 mm long. The ovary is 4–6 mm long; the style is 8–14 mm long. Berries turn red at maturity, are 1–1.5 cm in diameter, and contain 7–12 seeds. Flowering occurs from March to May; fruiting occurs from September to October.
Ecological Environment:Polygonatum kingianum Coll. et Hemsl. grows in forests, shrublands, or damp grassy slopes—and occasionally on rocks—at altitudes of 700–3,600 m above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is hypertrophic, ginger-root–shaped or beaded, with a diameter of 2–4 cm (or thicker). Each nodule bears a distinct stem scar—circular and disc-shaped (plate-like), slightly concave, 5–8 mm in diameter. Numerous fibrous root scars are present, often protruding, approximately 2 mm in diameter. The surface is yellowish-white to yellowish-brown, bearing distinct nodes and irregular vertical wrinkles. The texture is solid, pliable, and tough, yet easily fractured; the fracture surface is yellowish-white, flat, granular, and studded with numerous small dark vascular bundle spots. The herb has a slight odor and tastes sweet and mucilaginous (sticky).
(3) Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua.
Botanical Description:Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua is a perennial herb of the Liliaceae family (lily family) and the genus Polygonatum. It is also known as Polygonatum multiflorum auct. non All., Polygonatum multiflorum L. var. longifolium Merr., and Polygonatum brachynema Hand.-Mazz. Common names include Duō Huā Huáng Jīng, Náng Sī Huáng Jīng, and Jiāng Xíng Huáng Jīng. The rhizome is hypertrophic—typically bead-like or nodular (tuberculate), clumped, and rarely subcylindrical (nearly cylindrical)—with a diameter of 1–2 cm. The stem reaches 50–100 cm in height and usually bears 10–15 leaves. Leaves are alternate, elliptic to ovate-lanceolate or rectangular-lanceolate, slightly falciform (sickle-shaped) and curved, 10–18 cm long and 2–7 cm wide; the apex is acute to acuminate.
Inflorescences are axillary and umbelliform (umbellate), bearing 2–7 flowers (up to 14). Peduncles are 1–4 cm long (up to 6 cm); pedicels are 0.5–1.5 cm long (up to 3 cm). Bracts are minute, located below the midpoint of the pedicel—or absent. The perianth is yellowish-green, 18–25 mm long, with 6 lobes (~3 mm long). Filaments are ~3–4 mm long, flattened or slightly flattened on both sides, papillose to short-tomentose, with a slightly enlarged or saccate (sac-like) tip. Anthers are 3.4–4 mm long. The ovary is 3–6 mm long; styles are 12–15 mm long.
Berries are ~1 cm in diameter, turning black at maturity, and contain 3–9 seeds. Flowering occurs from May to June; fruiting occurs from August to October.
Ecological Environment: Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua grows in forests, shrublands, shady mountain slopes and hillsides, or in damp, fertile soil beside forests, thickets, and ravines—at altitudes of 500–2,100 m above sea level—or is cultivated artificially.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is beaded or clumped, slightly cylindrical, 2–3 cm in diameter. Each nodule bears a distinct stem scar—circular and disc-shaped (plate-like)—approximately 1 cm in diameter. The cylindrical portion exhibits distinct annular segments and numerous fibrous root scars (~1 mm in diameter). The surface is yellowish-brown with fine wrinkles. The texture is firm and solid, slightly pliable and tough; the fracture surface is granular, studded with numerous small yellowish-brown vascular bundle dots. The herb has a slight odor and tastes slightly sweet.
(4) Polygonatum macropodium Turcz.
Botanical Description:Polygonatum macropodium Turcz. is a perennial herb of the Liliaceae family (lily family) and the genus Polygonatum. It is also known as Polygonatum umbellatum Baker. Common names include Rè Hé Huáng Jīng. The plant grows up to 30–70 cm tall. The rhizome is cylindrical, 1–2 cm in diameter. The stem is erect, reaching 30–100 cm in height. Leaves are alternate, sessile—or those above the stem’s midpoint are shortly stipitate. Leaf blades are ovoid (egg-shaped) to ovate-elliptic (rarely ovate-rectangular-circular), 4–8 cm long (up to 10 cm) and 1–3 cm wide; the apex is acute; the base is rounded.
Inflorescences bear 5–12 flowers (fewer: down to 3; more: up to 17), nearly corymbose. Peduncles are 3–5 cm long; pedicels are 0.5–1.5 cm long. Bracts are absent or minute (punctiform), located below the midpoint of the pedicel. The perianth is white or dotted with red, 15–20 cm long, with lobes 4–5 mm long. Filaments are ~5 mm long, bearing three narrow wings, leprose and coarse. Anthers are ~4 mm long. The ovary is 3–4 mm long; the style is 10–13 mm long.
The berry is globose, navy blue (deep blue) at maturity, 7–11 mm in diameter, and contains 7–9 seeds. Flowering occurs in May; fruiting occurs from June to July.
Ecological Environment: Polygonatum macropodium Turcz. grows in forests, on grassy hillsides or mountain slopes, or on shady slopes—at altitudes of 400–1,500 m above sea level.
(5) Polygonatum cirrhifolium (Wall.) Royle
Botanical Description:Polygonatum cirrhifolium (Wall.) Royle is a perennial herb of the Liliaceae family (lily family) in the genus Polygonatum. It is also known as Convallaria cirrhifolia Wall., Polygonatum cirrhifoliodes, and commonly as juǎn yè huáng jīng. The rhizomes are hypertrophic and terete (cylindrical), 1–1.5 cm in diameter; alternatively, they may be beaded, with nodules 1–2 cm in diameter. Stems grow 30–90 cm tall.
Leaves are verticillate, usually with 3–6 leaves per whorl; rarely, the lower part bears a few scattered leaves. Leaf blades are thinly striped to narrowly lanceolate—rarely rectangular-lanceolate—4–9 cm long (up to 12 cm), and 2–8 mm wide (up to 15 mm). The apex is fist-shaped or curved into a hook, and the margin is often revolute (rolled inward).
Inflorescences are verticillate, usually bearing 2 flowers. Peduncles are 3–10 mm long; pedicels are 3–8 mm long and cernuous. Bracts are transparent and membranous, veinless, 1–2 mm long, located either on the pedicel or at its base—or sometimes absent. The perianth is mauve (lilac), 8–11 mm long overall; the perianth tube is slightly constricted at the middle, and the lobes are ~2 mm long. Filaments are ~0.8 mm long; anthers are 2–2.5 mm long. The ovary is ~2.5 mm long, and the style is ~2 mm long.
The berry is red or purplish-red (prune-colored), 8–9 mm in diameter, containing 4–9 seeds. Flowering occurs from May to July; fruiting occurs from September to October.
Ecological Environment:Polygonatum cirrhifolium (Wall.) Royle grows in damp mountain thickets, forest margins, hillsides, mountain slopes, and grasslands, at altitudes of 2,000–4,000 m above sea level.
✵The article records the herb Solomonseal Rhizome—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, and botanical sources, including three primary species: (1) Polygonatum sibiricum Red., (2) Polygonatum kingianum Coll. et Hemsl., and (3) Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua; as well as two additional acceptable species: (4) Polygonatum macropodium Turcz. and (5) Polygonatum cirrhifolium (Wall.) Royle. It provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these five species; the characteristics of the herb Solomonseal Rhizome; its pharmacological actions; medicinal efficacy; and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Huánɡ Jīnɡ
Botanical Description: Polygonatum sibiricum Red. is a perennial herb of the Asparagaceae family and genus Polygonatum. Synonyms include Polygonatum sibiricum Delar. ex Redouté and Polygonatum chinense Kunth. Common names include Siberian Solomonseal, Huánɡ Jīnɡ, Bǐ Guǎn Cài, Wū Yā Qī ("Crow Seven"), Huánɡ Jī Cài, and Lǎo Hǔ Jiānɡ ("Tiger-shaped Ginger"). Plants grow 50–90 cm tall, occasionally exceeding 1 m. Rhizomes are decumbent and cylindrical, with swollen, knobby nodes. Leaves are verticillate and sessile, 4–6 per whorl; leaf blades are linear-lanceolate, 8–15 cm long and 4–16 mm wide; apex acuminate and often involute (rolled inward).
Flowers are axillary and pendulous, 2–4 per cluster, forming umbelliform inflorescences; peduncles are 1–2 cm long; pedicels are 4–10 mm long; bracteoles are membranous, subulate or linear-lanceolate, single-veined. The perianth is tubular, white to pale yellow, 9–13 mm long, with six lanceolate lobes (~4 mm long). Stamens are inserted above the midpoint of the perianth tube; filaments are short (0.5–1 mm). Ovary is ~3 mm long; style is 5–7 mm long.
Growth Characteristics: Polygonatum sibiricum prefers a warm, humid climate and tolerates cold well. It is highly adaptable. Cultivation is suitable on flat land or high-altitude terrain. Optimal soils are deep, fertile, loose, moist, and well-drained. Barren, arid, or poorly drained soils are unsuitable.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is tuberculiform (nodular). One end is thick and disc-shaped (disk-like), the other end is attenuated and terete (cylindrical); the whole shape is slightly reminiscent of a chicken head. It measures 2.5–11 cm in length; the diameter of the thick end is 1–2 cm, and it often bears short branches. Distinct stem scars are present on the surface—circular (rounded) and emarginate (slightly concave)—2–3 mm in diameter, with barely visible annular nodes surrounding them. The thin end is 2.5–4 cm long and 5–10 mm in diameter; nodes are distinct, internodal distance is 5–15 mm, and numerous fibrous roots or fibrous root scars are present, approximately 1 mm in diameter. The surface is yellowish-brown; some specimens are translucent and wrinkled. Vertical veins occur on the cylindrical portion. The texture is hard and crisp, or slightly pliable and tough, rendering it easy to fracture. The fracture surface is yellowish-white and granular, with numerous yellowish-brown vascular bundle spots. The herb has a slight odor and tastes slightly sweet.
Botanical Description: Polygonatum kingianum Coll. et Hemsl. is a perennial herb of the Liliaceae family (lily family) and the genus Polygonatum. It is also known as Polygonatum agglutinatum Hua. and commonly referred to as Diān Huáng Jīnɡ. The plant grows 1–3 m tall; the upper portion is often twining. Rhizomes are subcylindrical (nearly cylindrical) or nearly bead-like, with irregular rhomboid nodes that are sometimes hypertrophied, 1–3 cm in diameter. Stems grow 1–3 m tall, with a scrambling (twining) apex. Leaves are verticillate, with 4–8 (or 3–10) leaves per whorl; leaf blades are linear to linear-lanceolate or lanceolate, 6–20 cm long (up to 25 cm), and 3–30 mm wide; the apex is acuminate and often recurved; the base is attenuate; sessile.
Flowers are axillary and pendulous, usually 2–4 forming short cymes; peduncles are pendulous, 1–2 cm long; pedicels are 0.5–1.5 cm long; bracts are membranous, minute, and typically located at the lower part of the pedicel; perianth is large, often pinkish, terete (tubular), 18–25 mm long, with lobes 3–5 mm long; filaments are 3–5 mm long, filiform (threadlike) or flattened on both sides; anthers are 4–6 mm long. The ovary is 4–6 mm long; the style is 8–14 mm long. Berries turn red at maturity, are 1–1.5 cm in diameter, and contain 7–12 seeds. Flowering occurs from March to May; fruiting occurs from September to October.
Ecological Environment: Polygonatum kingianum Coll. et Hemsl. grows in forests, shrublands, or damp grassy slopes—and occasionally on rocks—at altitudes of 700–3,600 m above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is hypertrophic, ginger-root–shaped or beaded, with a diameter of 2–4 cm (or thicker). Each nodule bears a distinct stem scar—circular and disc-shaped (plate-like), slightly concave, 5–8 mm in diameter. Numerous fibrous root scars are present, often protruding, approximately 2 mm in diameter. The surface is yellowish-white to yellowish-brown, bearing distinct nodes and irregular vertical wrinkles. The texture is solid, pliable, and tough, yet easily fractured; the fracture surface is yellowish-white, flat, granular, and studded with numerous small dark vascular bundle spots. The herb has a slight odor and tastes sweet and mucilaginous (sticky).
Botanical Description: Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua is a perennial herb of the Liliaceae family (lily family) and the genus Polygonatum. It is also known as Polygonatum multiflorum auct. non All., Polygonatum multiflorum L. var. longifolium Merr., and Polygonatum brachynema Hand.-Mazz. Common names include Duō Huā Huáng Jīng, Náng Sī Huáng Jīng, and Jiāng Xíng Huáng Jīng. The rhizome is hypertrophic—typically bead-like or nodular (tuberculate), clumped, and rarely subcylindrical (nearly cylindrical)—with a diameter of 1–2 cm. The stem reaches 50–100 cm in height and usually bears 10–15 leaves. Leaves are alternate, elliptic to ovate-lanceolate or rectangular-lanceolate, slightly falciform (sickle-shaped) and curved, 10–18 cm long and 2–7 cm wide; the apex is acute to acuminate.
Inflorescences are axillary and umbelliform (umbellate), bearing 2–7 flowers (up to 14). Peduncles are 1–4 cm long (up to 6 cm); pedicels are 0.5–1.5 cm long (up to 3 cm). Bracts are minute, located below the midpoint of the pedicel—or absent. The perianth is yellowish-green, 18–25 mm long, with 6 lobes (~3 mm long). Filaments are ~3–4 mm long, flattened or slightly flattened on both sides, papillose to short-tomentose, with a slightly enlarged or saccate (sac-like) tip. Anthers are 3.4–4 mm long. The ovary is 3–6 mm long; styles are 12–15 mm long.
Berries are ~1 cm in diameter, turning black at maturity, and contain 3–9 seeds. Flowering occurs from May to June; fruiting occurs from August to October.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is beaded or clumped, slightly cylindrical, 2–3 cm in diameter. Each nodule bears a distinct stem scar—circular and disc-shaped (plate-like)—approximately 1 cm in diameter. The cylindrical portion exhibits distinct annular segments and numerous fibrous root scars (~1 mm in diameter). The surface is yellowish-brown with fine wrinkles. The texture is firm and solid, slightly pliable and tough; the fracture surface is granular, studded with numerous small yellowish-brown vascular bundle dots. The herb has a slight odor and tastes slightly sweet.
Botanical Description: Polygonatum macropodium Turcz. is a perennial herb of the Liliaceae family (lily family) and the genus Polygonatum. It is also known as Polygonatum umbellatum Baker. Common names include Rè Hé Huáng Jīng. The plant grows up to 30–70 cm tall. The rhizome is cylindrical, 1–2 cm in diameter. The stem is erect, reaching 30–100 cm in height. Leaves are alternate, sessile—or those above the stem’s midpoint are shortly stipitate. Leaf blades are ovoid (egg-shaped) to ovate-elliptic (rarely ovate-rectangular-circular), 4–8 cm long (up to 10 cm) and 1–3 cm wide; the apex is acute; the base is rounded.
Inflorescences bear 5–12 flowers (fewer: down to 3; more: up to 17), nearly corymbose. Peduncles are 3–5 cm long; pedicels are 0.5–1.5 cm long. Bracts are absent or minute (punctiform), located below the midpoint of the pedicel. The perianth is white or dotted with red, 15–20 cm long, with lobes 4–5 mm long. Filaments are ~5 mm long, bearing three narrow wings, leprose and coarse. Anthers are ~4 mm long. The ovary is 3–4 mm long; the style is 10–13 mm long.
Botanical Description: Polygonatum cirrhifolium (Wall.) Royle is a perennial herb of the Liliaceae family (lily family) in the genus Polygonatum. It is also known as Convallaria cirrhifolia Wall., Polygonatum cirrhifoliodes, and commonly as juǎn yè huáng jīng. The rhizomes are hypertrophic and terete (cylindrical), 1–1.5 cm in diameter; alternatively, they may be beaded, with nodules 1–2 cm in diameter. Stems grow 30–90 cm tall.
Inflorescences are verticillate, usually bearing 2 flowers. Peduncles are 3–10 mm long; pedicels are 3–8 mm long and cernuous. Bracts are transparent and membranous, veinless, 1–2 mm long, located either on the pedicel or at its base—or sometimes absent. The perianth is mauve (lilac), 8–11 mm long overall; the perianth tube is slightly constricted at the middle, and the lobes are ~2 mm long. Filaments are ~0.8 mm long; anthers are 2–2.5 mm long. The ovary is ~2.5 mm long, and the style is ~2 mm long.
Ecological Environment: Polygonatum cirrhifolium (Wall.) Royle grows in damp mountain thickets, forest margins, hillsides, mountain slopes, and grasslands, at altitudes of 2,000–4,000 m above sea level.
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